Apparatus, system, and method for reducing head or neck trauma

ABSTRACT

Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for the reduction of head or neck trauma in a living being by mitigating the acceleration experienced by the head, relative to the torso, during a change in motion; for example, creating a neck support that provides improved extension, compression, rotation, and bending properties to the neck in order to control the acceleration experienced by the head. The apparatus can be configured to create a neck support in which acceleration of the head, relative to the torso, is reduced with minimal structure, discomfort, and other potential downsides to the user of the apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a U.S. Continuation Patent Application ofU.S. application Ser. No. 15/031,897, filed Apr. 25, 2016 (now U.S. Pat.No. 10,188,159, issued Jan. 29, 2019), which is a U.S. National PhasePatent Application of PCT Application No. PCT/US2014/062139, publishedas WO 2015/061663 and filed Oct. 24, 2014, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/895,500 entitled “NECK SUPPORTINGAPPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME,” filed on Oct. 25,2013, the contents of each application are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an apparatus, system, and method forthe reduction of trauma to the head and/or neck of a living being, andmore specifically to the apparatuses, systems, and methods which createa neck support in order to reduce head acceleration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) caused by a jostlingof the brain in the intracranial space. Concussion can be caused both bydirect impact to the head and by movement to the body resulting injostling of the brain. Linear and angular/rotational brain accelerationsare the two variables to consider in head injury since most headinjuries will involve both linear and angular forces. The kinetic energyis half of the mass multiplied by the squared velocity; therefore, thevelocity has a large impact when considering the biophysical aspect of aconcussion. When a concussion occurs, there are high strain forces onthe midbrain, and cerebral blood flow decreases significantly afterinjury. Excessive amounts of a neurotransmitter, glutamate, are releasedin the body and in turn, cause neurons to fire excessively. This resultsin an imbalance of ions across the cell membrane, affecting actionpotentials. Current head and neck protection are effective in skull andcervical injuries, but there remains a need for protection to reduce orprevent harmful lateral and rotational forces on the brain.

Other injuries to the neck, including neck strain or sprain, whiplash,other injuries due to neck hyperextension or hyper flexion, and overuseof muscles, may also require preventative or restorative support to theneck, head, and/or back. For instance, stress injuries occur duringdaily tasks such as sitting at a computer, where incorrect posture iscommon, and exercising, when improper form places undue stress on theneck muscles. A device is needed that will not impede any and allactivities desired by the user while reducing excessive force or strainon the musculature. Recent findings indicate a correlation between neckstrength and concussion incidence. As neck strength increases so doesthe ability of the neck to counteract a force applied to the head.However, in many cases, athletes do not see an impact coming and thuscannot prepare for impact. When the athlete does not see the impactcoming, neck strength becomes less relevant as the muscles are notengaged, and concussion incidence is higher.

Many attempts to address these problems are designed to work inconjunction with a helmet. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,517discloses a foam-like neck collar to be fastened around the neck toreduce and cushion extreme motions of the neck for lessening theoccurrence of or eliminating neck injuries. Further, U.S. Pat. No.3,900,896 discloses a neck brace for athletes to be secured to the baseof a helmet as well as shoulder pads which functions to limit flexionand extension of the neck. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 7,846,117discloses a neck brace to be used in conjunction with a helmet thatinhibits excessive neck movement during impact, yet otherwise allows ahigh degree of motion.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,412 discloses an inflatable cervical collarfunctioning to prevent whiplash-like head and neck injury. The collar isconnected to a compressed natural gas source for inflation upon impact;therefore, it is not suitable for wear in most circumstances.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,710 A discloses a sports neck guard that protectshockey players from lacerations in the wearer's throat caused by ahockey stick blade or a skate blade. The neck guards protect the playerfrom dangerous blows to the throat, but the neck guard does not protectthe wearer from concussions that occur due to neck movement.

Similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,710A is U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,179 thatprovides air-inflated padding to serve as a throat protector but doesnot protect the carotid artery nor does it protect the neck to avoidmild traumatic brain injury.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,375 discloses a pulsimeter which utilizes a wristwatch as a user interface to detect a pulse wave and has a pulse wavesensor to output a pulse wave signal. The pulsimeter has a controlprogram through a computer device to allow an accurate calculation ofpulse rate despite body motion components that overlap pulse wavecomponents. Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,212,496 A is a molecularphysiological monitoring system that measure electrocardiogram,respiration rate, and heart rate and transmits the data with or withoutthe use of wires. The miniature transducer contains electronic circuitsthat can be implanted subcutaneously or externally on the human body.

Research published in Computers in Biology and Medicine reveals aninteractive graphical user interface that analyzes human cardiacmonophasic action potentials. The graphical user interface coupled withan algorithm analyzes data from both swine and human hearts can detectischemic and assess appropriate pharmaceutical interventions.

Polar (www.polar.com) has developed and commercialized many differentheart rate monitors and sport watches. These systems have transmittersthat measure human physiology, GPS data, speed, distance, etc. andcalculate and communicate this information to a user interface such as awatch or smart phone through Bluetooth and other wireless means.

There are also disclosures for adhesive supports such as U.S. Pat. No.D265,828 and other similar kinesiology tapes that function to increasehealing and provide support with no appreciable thickness on the skin.This support, however, is quite limited and largely for rehabilitationpurposes.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2013/0239310 A1, nowabandoned, relates to an anti-concussion compression device meant toprotect the neck and spine.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,412 relates to an inflatable cervical collar meantto protect the head and neck from whiplash-like injuries.

EP 2637927 A1 relates to a device to be worn around the neck that willcompress the veins and restrict brain venous drainage to reduce energyabsorption.

U.S. Patent No. CA 2,822,642 A1 relates to an apparatus for preventingneck, spinal cord injury, and concussion comprising a helmet and bodyharness that may limit cervical rotation, lateral bending, flexion, andextension.

PCT Patent No. WO 2009053946 A2 relates to the method to processcomposite structures with adaptive stiffness integrating shearthickening fluids. U.S. Pat. No. 7,498,276 B2 relates to the use ofshear thickening fluids in body armor and protective devices.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2012/0094789 A1, nowabandoned, relates to a system and method of using shear thickeningmaterials in sports products.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,679,047 B2 relates to an athletic tape or protectiveathletic sleeve using shear thickening fluid.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,010 relates to an electrical muscle stimulator usedto stimulate one or more muscles through one or more electrodes attachedto the body.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,844,340 B2 relates to a device and method for performingtranscutaneous electrical stimulation on a human patient.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0173510 A1 (now U.S.Pat. No. 8,190,248, issued May 29, 2012), relates to a medical deviceutilizing electrical stimulation to prevent and/or treat neurologicaldisorders.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,290 A relates to a garment that reduces the risk ofbone fracture due to impact forces that may utilize a dilatant materialfor energy dissipation.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. U.S. 2006/0234572 A1, nowabandoned, details a method of containment for shear thickening fluidsusing polymer composites.

PCT Patent No. WO 2007146703 A2 details a process used to coat a shearthickening fluid onto a material.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,707 describes an electrical stimulation garment witha joint movement sensor that aids a user in gripping objects.

To any extent needed to explain the foregoing technologies, thedisclosures of the foregoing publications are incorporated herein byreference. As stated above, most current head and neck protectivedevices provide significant protection from skull and cervical injuries,but lack substantial ability to manage jostling of the brain especiallyin sports such as soccer and basketball where concussion incidence isstill high despite limited contact. There is, therefore, a need for awearable device that manages jostling of the brain while remainingsuitable for use during activities including non-contact, non-helmetedsports.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment, this invention provides an apparatus forengaging or supporting the head of a living being, the apparatus havinga portion configured to be positioned over the neck'ssternocleidomastoid muscle, the apparatus being configured to allow afull range of neck positions, while restricting the neck's speed ofmotion, thereby increasing the time necessary for the head to reach anextreme position in the neck's full range of motion. The apparatus mayalso have a portion configured to be positioned over the upper trapeziusmuscles. The apparatus may also have a portion configured to bepositioned over the occipital cup muscles. The apparatus may also have aportion configured to be positioned over the scalene muscles. Theapparatus may also have a portion configured to be positioned over thefrontal trapezius muscle. The apparatus may also have a portionconfigured to be positioned over the upper trapezius muscles. Theapparatus may also be configured to require a greater force for the headto reach the extreme position in the neck's range of motion. Theapparatus may be comprised of an elastic material, a viscoelasticmaterial or both elastic and viscoelastic materials. The apparatus maybe comprised of an electroactive material or a ferrofluid material. Itmay also comprise a sensor and have an adhesive positioned to releasablyattach the apparatus to the neck or have a high friction materialpositioned for contact with the neck.

According to another embodiment, this invention provides an apparatusfor supporting the head of a user whereby at least a portion of theapparatus is configured to be positioned over the user's neck, theapparatus comprising elastic and viscoelastic materials configured toallow a complete range of physical neck extension, flexion, lateralbending, and rotation positions while simultaneously increasing theforce required by the user to reach said neck positions and to increasethe time necessary for the head to reach said neck positions. Theapparatus may have an increased force required by the user between 1 and10 pounds force greater than the force required without the neckapparatus. The apparatus may have an increased time necessary for thehead to reach said neck positions approximately 100% greater than thetime required without the neck apparatus. The apparatus may beconfigured to wrap entirely around the neck. The apparatus may beconfigured for attachment to the posterior portion of the neck byengaging a position corresponding to the posterior sternocleidomastoidmuscle. The apparatus may be configured for attachment to the posteriorportion of the neck by engaging a position corresponding to theposterior portion of the frontal trapezius muscle. The apparatus maycomprise a spring formed from an elastomer, a polymer, a rubber,graphene, and/or a metal. The apparatus may have a spring comprised ofnitinol.

According to yet another embodiment, this invention provides anapparatus configured for supporting the neck of a user whereby at leasta portion of the apparatus is configured to be. frictionally engagedwith the user's neck skin, the apparatus comprising elastic andviscoelastic materials configured to stretch and compress in parallelwith the underlying skin and to allow a complete range of physical neckextension, flexion, lateral bending, and rotation positions whilesimultaneously increasing the force required by the user to reach saidneck positions and increasing the time necessary for the neck to reachsaid neck positions. The apparatus may also be comprised of a rubber orelastomer, wherein the frictional engagement to the skin is made withthe rubber or elastomer. The apparatus may also have a polished surface,wherein the frictional engagement to the skin is made with the polishedsurface. The apparatus may also have a temporary adhesive, wherein thefrictional engagement to the skin is made with the temporary adhesive.The apparatus may also have a permanent adhesive, wherein the frictionalengagement to the skin is made with the permanent adhesive.

According to yet another embodiment, this invention provides anapparatus for supporting the head of a living being, the apparatuscomprising a structure that completely encircles the neck of the livingbeing.

According to yet another embodiment, this invention provides anapparatus for supporting the head of a living being, the apparatuscomprising means for allowing a full range of neck positions whilerestricting the neck's speed of motion and increasing the time necessaryfor the head to reach the extreme position in the neck's full range ofmotion when the means is positioned over the neck's sternocleidomastoidmuscle.

According to yet another embodiment, this invention provides a systemfor supporting the head of a user, the system comprising an apparatusincluding at least one sensor and having a structure configured to allowa full range of neck positions, while restricting the neck's speed ofmotion, thereby increasing the time necessary for the head to reach theextreme position in the neck's full range of motion; and a userinterface, wherein the sensor of the apparatus is in communication withthe user interface. The system may have a sensor used to control anelectroactive material in order to restrict the neck's speed of motion.The sensor may also be used to control a ferrofluid material in order torestrict the neck's speed of motion. According to yet anotherembodiment, this invention provides a method for supporting the head ofa living being, the method comprising the steps of 1) positioning asupport over the sternocleidomastoid muscle of a neck of the livingbeing; 2) arranging the support to allow a full range of neck positions;3) restricting the neck's speed of motion through the full range of neckpositions; and 4) increasing the time necessary for the head to reachthe extreme position in the neck's full range of motion. The methodfurther comprising reducing the incidence of concussions. The methodfurther comprising limiting the support to extend up to 60 degrees witha forward extension of the neck. The method further comprising limitingthe support to flex up to 50 degrees with a backward flexion of theneck. The method further comprising limiting the support to laterallybend up to 45 degrees with a left or right bending of the neck. Themethod further comprising limiting the support to rotate up to 80degrees with a left or right rotation of the neck. The method furthercomprising configuring the support to increase the force and timenecessary for the neck to reach the ranges of motion.

According to yet another embodiment, this invention provides a methodfor stimulating the musculature of the neck in such a way that themuscles contract. The method comprising an electrical control system andelectrodes will cause the neck muscles to act as dampers to lessen theforce of an impact.

According to yet another embodiment, this invention provides a methodfor stimulating the musculature of the neck in such a way that themuscles contract. The method comprising an electrical control system andelectrodes will cause the neck muscles to constrict along with the uppertorso. This will cause the projected whiplash of the head to bedistributed over a much larger area minimizing the acceleration of thehead will slightly increasing the acceleration of the entire body.

According to yet another embodiment, this invention provides anapparatus for reducing trauma in the head or neck of a living beingcaused by acceleration of the head relative to the torso of the livingbeing within a range of motion, the apparatus comprising a supportconfigured to engage at least one of the head, neck, and shoulder of theliving being without limiting the range of motion of the head and neckrelative to the torso and a damper associated with the support andconfigured to mitigate the speed or acceleration of the head relative tothe torso, wherein the damper provides a lower resistance to the motionwhen the speed or acceleration of the head relative to the torso islower and a higher resistance to the motion when the speed oracceleration of the head relative to the torso is higher. The apparatusmay further comprise a support having at least one head engagementportion positioned to engage the head and at least one neck engagementportion coupled to the head engagement portion and positioned to engageat least one of the neck and shoulder, and the damper coupled to thehead engagement portion of the support and the neck engagement portionof the support. The apparatus may also comprise a support which includesan adhesive configured to temporarily attach the support to a portion ofat least one of the head, neck, and shoulder. The apparatus may alsocomprise a support which includes a high friction material configured tocontact a portion of at least one of the head, neck, and shoulder. Theapparatus may also comprise a support configured to wrap entirely aroundthe neck. The apparatus may also comprise a support configured to beattached to the posterior portion of the neck along a posteriorsternocleidomastoid muscle. The apparatus may also comprise a supportwhich is configured to be attached to the posterior portion of the neckalong a posterior portion of the frontal trapezius muscle. The apparatusmay also comprise a support including a spring made from elastomer,polymer, rubber, or metal, the spring being configured to attach thesupport to the posterior portion of the neck. The apparatus may alsocomprise a spring which is formed from nitinol. The apparatus may alsocomprise a high friction material that is a rubber or elastomer. Theapparatus may also comprise a damper which is configured to elongate,compress, rotate, or bend so as to resist the motion. The apparatus mayalso be configured where the elongation, compression, rotation, orbending of the damper generates a force adequate to resist the motion.The apparatus may also comprise a damper which is configured to providea lower resistance to the motion when the position of the head relativeto the torso is closer to a center of the range of motion and a higherresistance to the motion when the position of the head relative to thetorso is closer to extents of the range of motion. The apparatus mayalso be configured wherein the head engagement portion is positioned tobe placed in close proximity to the base of the skull of the livingbeing. The apparatus may also be configured wherein the neck engagementportion is positioned to be in close proximity to spinal vertebrae C3 ofthe living being.

The apparatus may also comprise a damper including a mechanical damper,wherein the damper is configured to provide the support with theresistance to the motion. The apparatus may also be configured with amechanical damper comprising a dashpot associated with the support. Theapparatus may also be configured with a mechanical damper comprising aviscoelastic material associated with the support. The apparatus mayalso be configured with a mechanical damper comprising a shearthickening fluid associated with the support. The apparatus may also beconfigured with a mechanical damper comprising an oil or greaseassociated with the support. The apparatus may also be configured with amechanical damper comprising an elastic material associated with thesupport. The apparatus may further comprise a mechanical damper beingconfigured to generate an opposing force proportional to a speed ofelongation, compression, rotation, or bending of the support.

The apparatus may also comprise a damper including a physiologicaldamper, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one electrodeassociated with the support and an actuator coupled to actuate theelectrode in response to a sensed position, speed or acceleration of thehead, wherein the electrode is positioned to stimulate a muscle of theliving being to increase the resistance to the motion provided by themuscle in response to the sensed position, speed or acceleration of thehead. The apparatus may further comprise at least one sensor positionedto sense at least one of position, speed, or acceleration of the head orneck. The apparatus may further comprise at least one sensor positionedto sense at least one of position, speed, or acceleration of elongation,compression, rotation, or bending of the support. The apparatus may alsocomprise an electronic controller and a power source. The apparatus mayalso comprise a battery. The apparatus may also comprise at least oneelectrode being configured to stimulate a muscle in at least one of theneck and shoulder. The apparatus may also be configured to stimulate amuscle being selected from a group consisting of the splenius capitis,levator scapulae, sternocleidomastoideus, scalenus, and trapezius. Thephysiological damper may also be configured to create opposing forceproportional to a speed of elongation, compression, rotation, or bendingof the support.

The apparatus may further comprise a damper including anelectromechanical damper, wherein the damper is configured to providethe support with the lower resistance to the motion when the speed oracceleration of the head relative to the torso is lower and to providethe support with the higher resistance to the motion when the speed oracceleration of the head relative to the torso is higher, wherein theapparatus further comprises an electrically activated materialassociated with the support and an actuator coupled to actuate theelectrically activated material in response to a sensed position, speedor acceleration of the head, wherein the electrically activated materialis positioned to increase resistance to the motion provided by thesupport in response to the sensed position, speed or acceleration of thehead. The apparatus may further comprise at least one sensor configuredto sense at least one of position, speed, or acceleration of the head orneck. The apparatus may further comprise at least one sensor configuredto sense at least one of position, speed, or acceleration of elongation,compression, rotation, or bending of the support. The apparatus mayfurther comprise a control system. The apparatus may also be configuredwhere the electrically activated material comprises an electroactivepolymer. The apparatus may also be configured where the electricallyactivated material comprises a ferrofluid. The apparatus may also beconfigured where the electrically activated material comprises a shapememory alloy. The apparatus may also comprise an electromechanicaldamper being configured to create an opposing force proportional to aspeed of elongation, compression, rotation, or bending of the support.

According to yet another embodiment, this invention provides anapparatus for reducing trauma in the head or neck of a living beingcaused by acceleration of the head relative to the torso of the livingbeing within a range of motion, the apparatus comprising a supportconfigured to engage at least one of the head, neck, and shoulderwithout limiting the range of motion of the head or neck relative to thetorso, the support having at least one head engagement portionpositioned to engage the head and at least one neck engagement portioncoupled to the head engagement portion and positioned to engage at leastone of the neck and shoulder, and means coupled to the head engagementportion of the support and the neck engagement portion of the supportfor mitigating the speed or acceleration of the head relative to thetorso within the range of motion. The apparatus may be furtherconfigured wherein the mitigating means comprises a damper associatedwith the support and configured to provide a lower resistance to themotion when the speed or acceleration of the head relative to the torsois lower and a higher resistance to the motion when the speed oracceleration of the head relative to the torso is higher. The apparatusmay also be configured wherein the mitigating means comprises a damperassociated with the support and configured to provide a lower resistanceto the motion when the position of the head relative to the torso iscloser to a center of the range of motion and a higher resistance to themotion when the position of the head relative to the torso is closer toextents of the range of motion. According to yet another embodiment,this invention provides a system for reducing trauma in the head or neckof a living being caused by acceleration of the head relative to thetorso of the living being within a range of motion, the systemcomprising a support engaging at least one of the head, neck, andshoulder of the living being without limiting the range of motion of thehead or neck relative to the torso, a sensor in electrical communicationwith the system, and a damper associated with the support and configuredto mitigate the speed or acceleration of the head relative to the torso.The system may be configured wherein the damper is configured to providea lower resistance to the motion when the speed or acceleration of thehead relative to the torso is lower and a higher resistance to themotion when the speed or acceleration of the head relative to the torsois higher. The system may also be configured wherein the damper isconfigured to provide a lower resistance to the motion when the positionof the head relative to the torso is closer to a center of the range ofmotion and a higher resistance to the motion when the position of thehead relative to the torso is closer to extents of the range of motion.The system may comprise a sensor which is configured to sense at leastone of the position, speed, and acceleration of the head or neck. Thesensor may be configured to sense at least one of the position, speed,and acceleration of elongation, compression, rotation, or bending of thesupport. The system may also comprise a control system, wherein thecontrol system may further comprise a battery. The system may alsocomprise a control system which is configured to actuate the damper inresponse to a communication from the sensor in order to increase thetime needed for the head to move through the range of motion. The systemmay further comprise a user interface, wherein the user interface may bewired or wirelessly connected to the control system and configured toalert the living being to a speed or acceleration of the head relativeto the torso. The system may also be configured for electricalcommunication with an external database, wherein the external databasemay be wired or wirelessly connected to the control system and storesthe speed or acceleration of the head relative to the torso. The systemmay further comprise a damper including a mechanical damper, wherein thedamper provides the support with the lower resistance to the motion whenthe speed or acceleration of the head relative to the torso is lower andprovides the support with the higher resistance to the motion when thespeed or acceleration of the head relative to the torso is higher. Thesystem may further comprise a damper including a physiological damper,wherein the system further comprises at least one electrode associatedwith the support and an actuator coupled to actuate the electrode inresponse to a sensed position, speed or acceleration of the head,wherein the electrode is positioned to stimulate a muscle of the livingbeing to increase the resistance to the motion provided by the muscle inresponse to the sensed position, speed or acceleration of the head. Thesystem may further comprise a damper including an electromechanicaldamper, wherein the damper provides the support with the lowerresistance to the motion when the speed or acceleration of the headrelative to the torso is lower and provides the support with the higherresistance to the motion when the speed or acceleration of the headrelative to the torso is higher, wherein the system further comprises anelectrically activated material associated with the support and anactuator coupled to actuate the electrically activated material inresponse to a sensed position, speed or acceleration of the head,wherein the electrically activated material increases resistance to themotion provided by the support in response to the sensed position, speedor acceleration of the head.

According to yet another embodiment, this invention provides a methodfor reducing trauma in the head or neck of a living being caused byacceleration of the head relative to the torso of the living beingwithin a range of motion, the method comprising steps for engaging asupport with at least one of the head, neck, and shoulder withoutlimiting the range of motion of the head or neck relative to the torso,and mitigating the speed at which the head moves relative to the torsoand increasing the time needed for the head to move through the range ofmotion using a damper associated with the support. The method mayfurther comprise the mitigating step being performed at least in part bythe damper providing a lower resistance to the motion when the speed oracceleration of the head relative to the torso is lower and a higherresistance to the motion when the speed or acceleration of the headrelative to the torso is higher, thereby mitigating the acceleration ofthe head relative to the torso. The method may further comprise themitigating step being performed at least in part by the damper providinga lower resistance to the motion when the position of the head relativeto the torso is closer to a center of the range of motion and a higherresistance to the motion when the position of the head relative to thetorso is closer to extents of the range of motion. The method mayfurther comprise the mitigating step being performed at least in part bya mechanical damper providing the support with the lower resistance tothe motion when the speed or acceleration of the head relative to thetorso is lower and the higher resistance to the motion when the speed oracceleration of the head relative to the torso is higher. The method mayfurther comprise the mitigating step being performed at least in part bya physiological damper actuating an electrode in response to a sensedposition, speed or acceleration of the head, thereby stimulating amuscle of the living being to increase the resistance to the motionprovided by the muscle in response to the sensed position, speed oracceleration of the head. The method may further comprise the mitigatingstep including stimulating a muscle of at least one of the neck andshoulder, whereby the shoulder is raised with respect to the head,effectively shrugging the shoulder. The method may further comprise themitigating step including stimulating the levator scapulae or trapeziusmuscles. The method may further comprise the mitigating step includingstimulating the muscle of at least one of the neck and shoulder, wherebycontraction of the muscle causes the neck to stiffen. The method mayfurther comprise the mitigating step including stimulating the trapeziusor sternocleidomastoid muscles. The method may further comprise themitigating step including stimulating a muscle of at least one of theneck and shoulder opposing the motion, thereby counteracting the motion.The method may further comprise the mitigating step being performed atleast in part by an electromechanical damper applying electric currentto an electrically activated material in response to a sensedacceleration of the head, thereby increasing the resistance to themotion provided by the support in response to the sensed position, speedor acceleration of the head. The method may further comprise step forsensing a position, speed, or acceleration of the head or neck. Themethod may further comprise a step for sensing a position, speed, oracceleration of elongation, compression, rotation, or bending of thesupport. The method may also include a mitigating step furthercomprising applying the electric current to an electroactive polymer.The method may also include the mitigating step further comprisingapplying the electric current to a ferrofluid. The method may alsoinclude the mitigating step further comprising applying the electriccurrent to a shape memory alloy. The method may further comprise themitigating step being performed at least in part by creating opposingforce proportional to the speed of elongation, compression, rotation, orbending of the support.

According to yet another embodiment, this invention provides a methodfor reducing trauma in the head or neck of a living being caused byacceleration of the head relative to the torso of the living beingwithin a range of motion, the method comprising the steps of engaging asupport with at least one of the head, neck, and shoulder of the livingbeing without limiting the range of motion of the head or neck relativeto the torso, sensing a position, speed, or acceleration of the head orneck, and electrically activating a damper coupled to the support tomitigate the speed at which the head moves relative to the torso. Themethod may further comprise the mitigating step being performed at leastin part by the damper providing a lower resistance to the motion whenthe speed or acceleration of the head relative to the torso is lower anda higher resistance to the motion when the speed or acceleration of thehead relative to the torso is higher, thereby mitigating theacceleration of the head relative to the torso. The method may furthercomprise the mitigating step being performed at least in part by thedamper providing a lower resistance to the motion when the position ofthe head relative to the torso is closer to a center of the range ofmotion and a higher resistance to the motion when the position of thehead relative to the torso is closer to extents of the range of motion.The method may further comprise the mitigating step being performed atleast in part by a physiological damper actuating an electrode inresponse to the sensed position, speed or acceleration of the head,thereby stimulating a muscle of the living being to increase theresistance to the motion provided by the muscle in response to thesensed position, speed or acceleration of the head. The method mayfurther comprise the mitigating step including stimulating a muscle ofat least one of the neck and shoulder, whereby the shoulder is raisedwith respect to the head, effectively shrugging the shoulder. The methodmay further comprise the mitigating step including stimulating thelevator scapulae or trapezius muscles. The method may further comprisethe mitigating step including stimulating the muscle of at least one ofthe neck and shoulder, whereby contraction of the muscle causes the neckto stiffen. The method may further comprise the mitigating stepincluding stimulating the trapezius or sternocleidomastoid muscles. Themethod may further comprise the mitigating step including stimulating amuscle of at least one of the neck and shoulder opposing the motion,thereby counteracting the motion. The method may further comprise themitigating step being performed at least in part by an electromechanicaldamper applying electric current to an electrically activated materialin response to the sensed acceleration of the head, thereby increasingthe resistance to the motion provided by the support in response to thesensed position, speed or acceleration of the head. The method may alsoinclude a step comprising sensing a position, speed, or acceleration ofelongation, compression, rotation, or bending of the support. The methodmay also include the mitigating step further comprising applying theelectric current to an electroactive polymer. The method may alsoinclude the mitigating step further comprising applying the electriccurrent to a ferrofluid. The method may also include the mitigating stepfurther comprising applying the electric current to a shape memoryalloy. The method may also include the mitigating step being performedat least in part by creating opposing force proportional to the speed ofelongation, compression, rotation, or bending of the support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic of an embodiment of a neck supporting systemaccording to the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a neck supporting apparatus and a userinterface as part of the neck supporting system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic model of a viscoelastic material (Maxwell).

FIG. 4 is a schematic model of a viscoelastic material (Voigt).

FIG. 5 is a schematic model of a viscoelastic material (Daniel).

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus layers.

FIG. 6a depicts a cross section of the layers in the neck supportingapparatus of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 depicts various sized embodiments of the neck supportingapparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus supportwith reinforcement projections that radiate from the base of the headtoward the shoulders and base of the neck.

FIG. 8a depicts the embodiment of FIG. 8 as it would appear on a humanneck both from a rear and profile perspective.

FIG. 8b depicts an embodiment of FIG. 8 with extended trapezius supportsas it would appear on a human neck from the rear.

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus withreinforcement projections that radiate from the shoulders and base ofthe neck towards the head.

FIG. 9a depicts the embodiment of FIG. 9 as it would appear on a humanneck both from a rear and profile perspective.

FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus withreinforcement projections that radiate from the base of the head towardthe shoulders and base of the neck.

FIG. 10a depicts the embodiment of FIG. 10 as it would appear on a humanneck both from a rear and profile perspective.

FIG. 11 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus withreinforcement projections that radiate from the base of the head towardthe shoulders and base of the neck.

FIG. 11a depicts the embodiment of FIG. 11 as it would appear on a humanneck both from a rear and profile perspective.

FIG. 12 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus withreinforcement projections that radiate from the base of the head towardthe shoulders and base of the neck.

FIG. 12a depicts the embodiment of FIG. 12 as it would appear on a humanneck both from a rear and profile perspective.

FIG. 13 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus withreinforcement projections that radiate from the shoulders and base ofthe neck toward the head.

FIG. 13a depicts the embodiment of FIG. 13 as it would appear on a humanneck both from a rear and profile perspective.

FIG. 14 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus withreinforcement projections that radiate from the shoulders and base ofthe neck toward the head.

FIG. 14a depicts the embodiment of FIG. 14 as it would appear on a humanneck both from a rear and profile perspective.

FIG. 15 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus withreinforcement projections that radiate from the shoulders and base ofthe neck toward the head.

FIG. 15a depicts the embodiment of FIG. 15 as it would appear on a humanneck both from a rear and profile perspective.

FIG. 16 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus withreinforcement projections radiating from the base of the head toward theshoulders and base of the neck.

FIG. 16a depicts the embodiment of FIG. 16 as it would appear on a humanneck both from a rear and profile perspective.

FIG. 17 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus withreinforcement projections radiating from the base of the head toward theshoulders and base of the neck.

FIG. 17a depicts the embodiment of FIG. 17 as it would appear on a humanneck both from a rear and profile perspective.

FIG. 18 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus withplacement markers.

FIG. 19 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus withadhesive release liners.

FIG. 20 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus withreinforcement projections radiating from the base of the head toward theshoulders and base of the neck with jugular vein compression pads.

FIG. 21 depicts an embodiment of an adhesion method for the necksupporting apparatus.

FIG. 22 depicts an embodiment of an adhesion method for the necksupporting apparatus.

FIG. 23 depicts an embodiment of a clamshell attachment method for theneck supporting apparatus.

FIG. 24 depicts an embodiment of a magnetic attachment method for theneck supporting apparatus.

FIG. 24a depicts the embodiment of FIG. 24 showing the placement ofmagnetic strips on the neck supporting apparatus and the human neck.

FIG. 25 depicts an embodiment of placement markers and breathability forthe neck supporting apparatus.

FIG. 26 depicts an embodiment of placement markers and breathability forthe neck supporting apparatus.

FIG. 27 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus withreinforcement projections radiating from the base of the head toward theshoulders and base of the neck with jugular vein compression bladders.

FIG. 28 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus showingthe edge detail.

FIG. 28a depicts various edge detail embodiments for the neck supportingapparatus of FIG. 28.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view drawing of a composite materialcontaining Shear Thickening Fluid.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view drawing of a composite material withShear Thickening Fluid-containing compartments.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view drawing of a composite material withembedded Shear Thickening Fluid.

FIG. 32 is an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus composed ofSTF-embedded elliptical bands from both from a rear and profileperspective.

FIG. 33 is an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus composed ofSTF-embedded straight bands from both from a rear and profileperspective.

FIG. 34 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus with STFembedded in a thick supporting structure.

FIG. 35 is a cross-section drawing of an embodiment of the necksupporting apparatus with STF embedded in a thick supporting structure.

FIG. 36 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus with asupporting collar embedded with STF both from a rear and profileperspective.

FIG. 37 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus usingelectrical stimulation.

FIG. 38 is a table depicting an embodiment of the external database.

FIG. 39 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus usingelectrical stimulation to stimulate both the trapezius andsternocleidomastoid muscles both from a rear and profile perspective.

FIG. 40 depicts an embodiment of the muscle stimulating neck supportingapparatus used to stimulate the shoulder muscles.

FIG. 41 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus usingelectrical stimulation comprised of flexible electronics.

FIG. 42 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting system usingelectrical stimulation comprised of flexible electronics and stimulatingboth the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles.

FIG. 43 depicts an embodiment of the muscle stimulating neck supportingsystem with sinusoidal shaped flexible, extensible electronics.

FIG. 44 depicts an embodiment of the muscle stimulating neck supportingapparatus utilizing ear mounts.

FIG. 45 depicts an embodiment of the muscle stimulating neck supportingsystem utilizing ear mounts and a separate electrode structure.

FIG. 46 depicts an embodiment of the muscle stimulating neck supportingapparatus utilizing ear mounts and targeting the sternocleidomastoidmuscles.

FIG. 47 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus beingplaced using a supporting frame both from a rear and profileperspective.

FIG. 48 depicts a neck band that may hold all features of the necksupporting apparatus.

FIG. 49 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus from FIG.8 with the addition of muscle stimulation both from a rear and profileperspective.

FIG. 50 depicts an embodiment of a headband with sensors.

FIG. 51 depicts an embodiment of a collar that may cover the necksupporting apparatus.

FIG. 52 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus utilizingelectroactive materials.

FIG. 53 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus, whereina shape memory alloy is utilized to vary intracranial pressure.

FIG. 54 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus beingused on a head in flexion.

FIG. 55 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus beingused on a head in extension.

FIG. 56 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus beingused on a head in lateral flexion.

FIG. 57 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus beingused on a head that is rotated to the left both from the back and rightside views.

FIG. 58 depicts a possible embodiment of triaxial accelerometers used tomeasure the acceleration of the head and neck.

FIG. 59 is an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus withreinforcement projections down the back.

FIG. 60 is two graphs showing recorded values of shrug percentage as afunction of current and voltage using interferential currentstimulation. A trend line shows a linear progression.

FIG. 61 is two graphs showing recorded values of shrug percentage as afunction of current and voltage using Russian stimulation.

FIG. 62 is a graph showing shrug percentage as a function of frequency.A constant voltage pulse was used at each frequency,

FIG. 63 is a depiction of the neck supporting apparatus withrepresentative dashpots showing the dampening effects.

FIGS. 64a-64c depict an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatuscontaining structural dampening, electrically activated dampers andelectrical stimulation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 schematically shows the neck supporting system 44 interactingwith a user 51, the ambient surroundings 50, and an external database47. The neck supporting system 44 is comprised of a neck supportingapparatus 45 and user interface 52, communicating through a wirelesscommunication 49 that may also in fact be wired if this is a morepractical solution for the user. Wireless techniques such as Bluetooth,wifi, or other radio waves may be used. The neck supporting system 44may be passive and structurally support the neck, head, shoulders,and/or back as a mechanical damper or force regulator, or it may beactive and embody sensors 46 communicating with active structuralmaterials. These active materials may change in stiffness, such asincreasing or decreasing the flexibility of the neck supportingapparatus 45 or cause a change in stiffness of the neck musculature ofthe user 51. Or the active materials may alter in viscoelasticity(dampening), wherein the structure will slow or absorb or otherwisemitigate or reduce the force of the acceleration or the shock of impacteither by virtue of its material composition or by stimulating the neckmusculature. Additionally, the active materials may alter in elasticity,size (fit), or they may specifically apply pressure to the jugular veinsor arteries in order to increase cranial pressure. The sensors 46 maymeasure force, acceleration, velocity, displacement, angle, ororientation with respect to gravity. These sensors 46 can measure thekinetic activity of the user 51 and the user's neck, communicate thisinformation to an actuator such as a control system 48 which may consistof a microprocessor and other electronics with the ability tocommunicate with a user interface 52, or be downloaded to or programmedby an external database 47.

Sensors 46 that measure blood pressure and pulse rate can record orwirelessly broadcast the cardiovascular physiological parameters of theuser 51 to provide real time condition status. Other forms of sensors 46may measure the acceleration, displacement, or force applied to the user51. The sensors 46 may also communicate with the control system 48 inorder to activate portions of the neck supporting system 44. If a forcefrom the user's surroundings 50 is registered by the sensors 46, thecontrol system 48 may activate changes in the material, causingstiffness, dampening, fit, and pressure changes as an electromechanicaldamper or force regulator, or it may engage electrodes or other means ofaltering the position, stiffness, and dampening of the user's neckmusculature as a physiological damper or force regulator.

Furthermore, the sensors 46 may control the properties of the neckapparatus 45 so as to dynamically change its properties during use. Forexample, using electroactive polymers, elastomers, piezoelectric,magnetostrictive, ferrofluids, shape memory alloys, dielectricelastomers, or any other intelligent material that change in stiffnessupon application of an electric field, magnetic field, temperature,moisture, pH, or other external stimuli could instantaneously respond toa control system 48 output as a function of the sensor 46 inputs to thecontrol system 48. Electroactive fibers are flexible, light weight, andhave low fracture tolerance and pliability.

Additionally, electroactive polymers can take on any shape and canexhibit a large displacement when responding to electrical stimuli.Electroactive materials can undergo a large amount of deformation whilewithstanding a large amount of force. Elastomers can sustain highstrains and can be modeled as a capacitor with the ability to change itscapacitance when voltage is applied. This allows the polymer to expandin area while compressing in thickness because of the electric field.Since the polymers have high mechanical energy density, there are nomajor constraints when the materials are operated in air. They do,however, require high activation fields that are close to the breakdownlevel. An alternative material could be an ionic

electroactive polymer, which can be achieved at lower voltages. Thesematerials favor a wet environment, which is a factor to consider sincethe athletes may be sweating. Electroactive polymers are capable ofsustaining large amounts of force and can act as sensors as well. Forexample, a threshold can be established such that when the user's 51neck undergoes a force close to this threshold, a signal can be sent tothe neck supporting apparatus 45 and can have the material correct theplacement of the head and neck.

In FIG. 2, the neck supporting system 44 embodiment may include a necksupporting apparatus 45 and a user interface 52. The neck supportingapparatus 45 may be composed of materials that provide both flexibilityand rigidity. Most importantly, the neck supporting apparatus 45 shouldnot limit the user's neck freedom of motion, but rather help to controlthe allowable acceleration during bending of the neck. The top portionis used to support the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) for rotationaland lateral movement while the two middle extensions are used to providesupport to the superior trapezius and assist in both flexion andextension. The neck supporting apparatus 45 can send signals to the userinterface 52, which could be a watch to tell the user parameters such asheart rate and blood pressure. It may also tell the user suchinformation as how much force or acceleration is experienced by thesurrounding muscles in the neck.

In FIGS. 3-5, the neck supporting apparatus may have mechanicalproperties including those of, springs in series 57 and in parallel 61,and dashpots in series 58 and in parallel 62, which define itselasticity and dampening. In FIG. 3-5, the viscoelastic properties ofthe soft tissues are represented by three different models, which areMaxwell's model 56, FIG. 3, Voigt's model 59, FIG. 4, and Daniel's model60, FIG. 5. Soft tissues will experience different properties, such ashysteresis during loading and unloading, stress relaxation at a constantstrain, creep at a constant stress, and strain rate dependence. Theseviscoelastic properties can be displayed by circuit diagrams where thestrains add in series and stresses add in parallel. FIG. 3 represents asimple linear viscoelastic model, known as Maxwell's model and assumes auniform distribution of stress. In FIG. 3, an elastic spring 57 is inseries with a viscous damper or a dashpot 58. The elastic stress willdepend on strain from the spring 57, and the viscous stress will dependon the strain-rate from the dashpot 58. Since the spring 57 and dashpot58 are in series, the total strain rate is the spring strain rate addedto the dashpot strain rate. Under a constant strain, the stressesexperience exponential decay. In this model, the force willexponentially decay; however, the deformation will remain constant astime increases. In FIG. 4, the elastic spring 57 is in parallel with theviscous dashpot 58. This is known as the Voigt model, and since thedashpot 58 and spring 57 are in parallel, the total stress is the springstress added to the dashpot stress. This model assumes a uniformdistribution of strain. The model cannot be instantaneously deformed toa given strain, but in creep, the stress is constant. FIG. 5 is Daniel'smodel, which utilizes both Maxwell's model and Voigt's model in thatthere is a dashpot 62 and spring 61 in series, and this system is inparallel with another spring 61. That entire component is in series withanother dashpot 58 and a spring 57, which is all in parallel with adifferent spring 57.

In FIGS. 6 and 6 a, the neck supporting apparatus embodiment 63 and 64may consist of multiple layers to provide the functionality to the user.An inner screen layer 76 to minimize trauma to the skin and hair duringremoval, a wicking mesh layer 75 to wick sweat away from the body, anadhesive layer 74 to adhere to the skin, a sensor layer 73, a wickinglayer 72 to facilitate removal of the adhesive with an adhesive removerfluid, venous compression members 71, a viscoelastic material 70,flexural stiffening members 69 interspersed with dampened elongationmembers 68, a control system with microelectronics 67, an elastic fabric66, and fastening means 65. These layers can be combined to form layerswith multiple functionalities and can be arranged in many differentways.

Alternatively, the dampening elongation members 68, could act asminiature (even nanoscale) dashpots that allow complete freedom ofmotion in elongation, compression, bending, and/or rotation when thechanges in position over time or speed over time are smaller, but whenchanges in position over time or speed over time are greater, thedashpots provide an opposing force to the motion. The dashpots can bepneumatic, hydraulic, or electrically active in nature. They can beself-contained, or act in combination with the layer that they arecontained within. One example of this would be to combine the dampeningelongation members 68 with a high viscosity oil or grease so thatelongation of the neck support apparatus 63 requires the dampeningelongation members 68 to slide between the high viscosity oil or greaseand the surrounding embodiment. The boundary layer interface with eachdampening elongation member 68 will result in increasing resistance ofmotion due to the friction or drag as the change in position over timeor speed over time increases. This is explained by the dynamic shearviscosity equations and also described as Couette flow. The dampeningelongation members 68 could also have surface features that wouldenhance their frictional engagement with a high viscosity fluid orviscoelastic material. For example, tiny hairs, bumps, recesses, ridges,or other disturbances could increase the surface area, therebyincreasing the magnitude of the opposing forces created by the dashpots.The dampening elongation members 68, could also be configured as thinsheets or films that are formed in alternating layers with each layerconsisting of a boundary layer interface.

To provide the most resistance possible while allowing for the mostflexible neck supporting apparatus 63 the flexural stiffening members 69would have the largest moment of inertia possible in all directions thatare being used to resist motion. The ideal structure would be thinelastic cylindrical rods which in great numbers would allow for rotationand motion in all directions while providing significant resistance.This would be similar to muscle utilizing muscle fibers for strength andflexibility.

The neck support apparatus 63 may utilize various types of adhesives forsecuring the apparatus to the neck, shoulders, head, and/or back. One ofthe preferred adhesives is a silicone adhesive under the trademark of 3MKind Removal tape. Removal of the adhesive may be facilitated by using apolysiloxane (silicone) fluid such as Dow 360 medical fluid which issoluble with the silicone adhesive. The neck apparatus 63 could havewicks that allow the silicone medical fluid to wick into communicationwith the adhesive so that the entire adhesive layer 74 may be easilyremoved from the skin. Alternatively, bladder containing medical fluidcould be contained within the neck apparatus 63 with small valves thatcan be opened to allow the fluid to come in contact with the adhesive.An alternate method to adhere the neck support apparatus 63 to the usermay be to utilize a base layer of a high friction material.

In FIG. 7, the neck supporting apparatus 77 is shown in multiple sizes.The neck support apparatus may be custom sized for a particular personbased on measurements or may be pre-made in a range of discrete sizesbased on these measurements. In the event of custom sizing, the userwill be fitted using measurements that may include but are not limitedto, neck circumference, shoulder width, neck length, and measurementsdetermining the length and location of the back of neck hairline foradhesive placement purposes.

In FIG. 8, the neck supporting apparatus 10 may work in conjunction withthe major muscles of the neck associated with extension, flexion,rotation, and lateral motion, namely: sternocleidomastoid, uppertrapezius, and the scalene muscles. The sternocleidomastoid functions torotate the head to the opposite side and it is also involved in flexingthe neck and extending the head. It is innervated by the accessorynerve. Scalene muscles include three pairs of muscles: the scalenusanterior, scalenus medius, and scalenus posterior that are innervated byspinal nerves. The superior region of the trapezius is also supplied bythe accessory nerve and stabilizes and moves the scapula. The necksupporting apparatus 10 may be of little appreciable thickness lyingagainst the neck and generally soft so as to prevent potential harm toothers upon collision and making it acceptable for use in non-contact,non-padded sports such as soccer and basketball. Additionally, theconstituting materials and their properties may function to dampen orabsorb forces to the head by increasing the time taken for the head toreach the extreme in the neck's range of motion; i.e. flexion,extension, rotation, and lateral motion, thereby inherently reducing theacceleration experienced by the brain. It is also contemplated that theneck supporting apparatus 10 may serve as a neck strengthening trainingtool to build up the neck muscles separate from its function as asupporting structure.

The neck supporting apparatus 10 may have any number of the followingstructural properties: rigidity, flexibility, extensibility,inextensibility, elasticity, inelasticity, viscoelasticity, andviscosity. That is, the device may dampen forces to the head employingany of the aforementioned properties. Further, the neck supportingapparatus 10 may be of a single damping material or a compositestructure. This includes but is not limited to a single material, suchas viscoelastic silicone rubber or graphene, or a composite structure ofa laminated elastomer wherein the lamination provides additionalstructure and alters the properties of the solitary elastomer.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 8 displays a neck supporting apparatus10 comprised of a material with structural properties on the spectrumfrom rigid to flexible, providing some flexibility as well as rigidity.The trapezius supports 2A, which may extend as long as necessary fromthe skull down to the back, may provide reinforcement for flexion andextension motions, the SCM supports 3A may provide reinforcement forrotational and lateral motion, and the scalene supports 4A providefurther reinforcement for lateral motion. The base for the scalenesupports 5A, which may sit at the base of the neck or lay down the backor curve around to the front, serves as an anchor to the scalenesupports 4A. The top portion 1A of the neck supporting apparatus 10 sitsat the base of the head over the occipital bone of the skull. Thisembodiment 10 can be seen on a human neck from both a rear and profileperspective 11 in FIG. 8a . A similar embodiment may be seen in FIG. 8b, where the trapezius supports 2A extend down to the back and curve outto engage with lower fibers of the trapezius muscle.

Accordingly, embodiments of this invention may include a support havingone or more head engagement portions and one or more neck engagementportions. Also, embodiments of this invention may optionally include adamper that is coupled, directly or indirectly, to one or more headengagement portions of a support (such as for example top portion 1A)and one or more neck engagement portions of the support (such as forexample bottom portions like scalene supports 5A). The damper and/or thesupport may be configured to elongate, compress, rotate, or bend orotherwise deform so as to allow or resist motion of the head. Forexample, such elongation, compression, rotation, or bending of thedamper or support can generate a force adequate to resist the motion.

Embodiments of an apparatus according to this invention my includestructures, such as a damper, that provides a lower resistance tomotion, such as motion of the head, when the speed or acceleration ofthe head relative to the torso is lower and a higher resistance to themotion when the speed or acceleration of the head relative to the torsois higher. In this way, the resistance can be relatively lower atrelatively lower accelerations or speeds and relatively higher atrelatively higher accelerations or speeds. Also, embodiments of theapparatus of this invention may be configured to provide a lowerresistance to motion of the head when the position of the head relativeto the torso is closer to a center of the range of motion and a higherresistance to the motion when the position of the head relative to thetorso is closer to extents of the range of motion. Also, the apparatusis optionally configured to generate an opposing force proportional to aspeed of elongation, compression, rotation, or bending of the apparatusor support. The apparatus can be designed to directly or indirectlycontact or engage various anatomies of a living being. For example, itmay directly or indirectly engage the head, neck, one or more shoulders,torso, or other anatomies. As one possible example, a head engagementportion of an exemplary apparatus is optionally positioned to be placedin close proximity to the base of the skull of the living being. Inanother example, a neck engagement portion of the apparatus isoptionally positioned to be in close proximity to spinal vertebrae C3 ofthe living being.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 9 displays a neck supporting apparatus12 comprised of a material with structural properties on the spectrumfrom extensible to inextensible. This embodiment 12 is based at theshoulders 6C with reinforcements projecting upwards towards the head.The trapezius supports 2C run from the base at the shoulders 6C to thebase of the head where each culminates in a separate support 9C. Thetrapezius supports 2C reinforce the head and neck in flexion andextension motions using damping properties of the aforementionedmaterial. The SCM supports 3C reinforce the head and neck throughrotational and lateral motions, and the scalene supports 4C furtherreinforce the head and neck in lateral motions with the base 8Cproviding an anchor for both supports 3C, 4C. This embodiment 12 isshown on a human neck 13 in FIG. 9a from both a rear and profile view.

The embodiment 14 depicted in FIG. 10 displays a neck supportingapparatus 14 comprised of a material with structural properties on thespectrum from elastic to inelastic. This embodiment 14 is based at thebottom of the head over the occipital bone on a with a single head pieceIB. The trapezius supports 2B, which may extend downward onto theshoulders and back if necessary, reinforce the head through flexion andextension motions. In this embodiment the support for the SCM and thescalene muscles is combined into one projection 7B for each side of theneck. This projection 7B reinforces the head and neck through rotationaland lateral motions. This embodiment 14 is shown on a human neck 14 fromboth rear and profile perspectives.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 displays a neck supporting apparatus16 comprised of a viscoelastic material, that is, for example, amaterial having both viscous and elastic properties. This embodiment 16is based at the bottom of the head over the occipital bone with separateleft and right portion of the apparatus. From the separate head supports9D projects the combined SCM and scalene supports 7D and the trapeziussupports 2D. Each of these supports provides damping to forces to thehead and neck employing the viscoelastic properties of the materialconstituting this embodiment 16. The neck supporting apparatus 16 isshown in FIG. 11a as it would appear on a human head and neck 17 fromboth a profile and rear perspective.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 12 displays a neck supporting apparatus18 comprised of a composite material. Both rigid/flexible materials andextensible/inextensible materials constitute this composite material inproportions and positions best suited for damping forces to the head andneck. This embodiment consists of separate left and right pieces,wherein SCM supports 3F and trapezius supports 2F project from theseparate head pieces 9F. Further, the scalene supports 4F project fromthe SCM supports 3F connecting with the base 5F, which projects from thetrapezius 2F. The SCM supports 3F reinforces rotational and lateralmotion of the head and neck, the scalene supports 4F further reinforceslateral motion, and the trapezius supports 2F reinforce extension andflexion motion of the head and neck. This embodiment 18 is shown as itwould appear on a human neck 19 as shown in FIG. 12a both from a rearand profile perspective.

The embodiment 20 depicted in FIG. 13 displays a neck supportingapparatus with two separated pieces that are comprised of a materialwith structural properties on the spectrum from extensible toinextensible. There is support on the shoulders 6G with reinforcementsthat move upwards to the head, which support the trapezius muscles. TheSCM support 3G will stabilize the head and neck so that excessiverotational and lateral movement is avoided. The scalene muscles aresupported by the straps in 4G to reinforce head and neck lateral motionswith the separated bases 8G and 6G acting as supports for 3G and 4G. Theembodiment 20 is shown on a human neck in FIG. 13a from both rear andprofile view.

FIG. 14 depicts an embodiment 22 of the neck support apparatus comprisedof materials with structural properties the shoulder support 6E servesas the base of the device with reinforcements moving upwards to thehead. The trapezius supports 2E stabilize the upper portion of the neck.The SCM supports 7E reinforce rotational and lateral movement and thecranial supports provide stabilization for the occipital bone in theskull. FIG. 14a depicts the embodiment 23 on a human neck from both rearand profile views.

FIG. 15 shows the embodiment 24 of the neck support apparatus similar tothe support system in FIG. 14. The base 6C provides support for the leftand right shoulder. The reinforcements extend upward and serve as thetrapezius supports. The pads behind the head 9C serve as the occipitalbone support in the head, and the SCM supports 7C sustain the movementin rotational and lateral movement. FIG. 15a displays the embodiment 25on the human neck from both the rear and profile view.

FIG. 16 depicts an embodiment 26 of the neck support apparatus made ofsimilar material that is both flexible and rigid at the appropriatemoments. There are no trapezius or scalene muscle supports. The SCMsupports run through to the occipital bone supports 1C. This eliminatesrotational and lateral movement as well as flexion and extension fromthe head. FIG. 16a depicts the embodiment 27 on the human neck from boththe rear and profile view.

The embodiment 28 in FIG. 17 is similar to that in FIG. 16 where the SCMpads 7A support rotational and lateral movement and run upwards toconnect to the head supports 9A. The neck support apparatus providesboth flexibility and rigidity for support. FIG. 17a displays both therear and profile view.

FIG. 18 depicts an embodiment of the neck support apparatus 80 with aset of markers 79 to assist the user with proper placement of the neckapparatus. This apparatus provides support to the SCM through the outerflaps to eliminate rotation.

FIG. 19 depicts an embodiment of the neck support apparatus 83 havingadhesive release liners 82 that allow repositionable placement of theapparatus on the user and proper alignment before the remaining liner isremoved and the apparatus is firmly attached.

FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus similar tothe embodiment 10 shown in FIG. 8. However, this embodiment 31 furtherincludes jugular vein compression pads 30. These pads 30 apply slightpressure to the jugular vein on either side of the human neck; thisaction causes an increase in cranial pressure, which, in turn, leads toa higher volume and thus higher density of the intracranial fluid. Thehigher density fluid provides further shock absorption for the brain,and prevents excessive jostling upon impact.

FIG. 21 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus 39similar to the embodiment 10 shown in FIG. 8. This FIG. 21 serves todisplay an attachment mechanism for the neck supporting apparatus. Shownare adhesive patches 32, which may be reusable, disposable, peel-off, orrequire adhesive remover, as previously mentioned in this section.Further, there is high friction section 33 at the base of the head,which provides some displacement resistance while avoiding painful hairpulling. Alternatively, the high friction section 33 can be located onthe lower section of the supporting apparatus 39.

The attachment of said neck supporting apparatus 39 may take many forms.The device may have a rigid clamshell structure and mechanism includinga hinge point 36 (FIG. 23) and a maximum closing range that is suitablefor a specific person's neck so as to fit comfortably without blood flowor airway restriction. In this embodiment of the concussion preventionneck support the interior lining of the device likely consists of a highfriction material in section 33 to prevent device displacement.Alternatively, the neck supporting apparatus 39 may have spring likeproperties about a hinge point 36 (FIG. 23) made from an elastomer,rubber, graphene, or metal such as nitinol that lightly clamps thedevice around the back of the neck and uses a high friction material insection 33 or adhesive surface 32 to prevent device displacement. Thedevice may also be a soft closed structure that fully encircles thewearer's neck like a balaclava as a means of attachment. Again, thisembodiment would likely include a high friction interior lining insection 33 to prevent device displacement and to ensure that the necksupporting apparatus 39 displacement matches the skin displacement. Thedevice may alternatively have an adhesive attachment mechanism. Theadhesive interface may cover the entire interior surface as a singlepiece 34 (FIG. 22) or may consist of one or more smaller adhesivesurfaces 32 (as in FIG. 21). This adhesive may be reusable eitherindefinitely or for a predetermined period of time. Additionally, theadhesive may be a single use, peel-off variety. For the single useadhesive embodiment, either the device includes multiple adhesivecoverings so a new cover or covers are used for each wear or the entiredevice is single use and thus disposable. For both the reusable andsingle use adhesive varieties, their removal may be either a peel-offmechanism or prompted by a remover/solvent.

FIG. 22 depicts an embodiment of the neck support apparatus 40 similarto the embodiment 10 shown in FIG. 8. This FIG. 22 serves to display anattachment mechanism for the neck supporting apparatus 40. In thisembodiment 40, the neck supporting apparatus adheres to the neck using asingle-piece adhesive layer 34, which may be reusable, disposable,peel-off, or require adhesive remover, as previously mentioned in thissection. This adhesive protective layer 35 lays over the adhesivesurface 34 of the neck supporting apparatus. FIG. 23 depicts anembodiment of the neck support apparatus 41 similar to the embodiment 10shown in FIG. 8. The attachment method of this apparatus is a clamshelllike mechanism. The neck supporting apparatus collapses around a hinge36 at the base of the head. The range of the mechanism is adjustedaccording to the individual diameter of the neck, so as to avoidrestricted blood flow or air passages.

FIG. 24 depicts an embodiment of the neck support apparatus 42 similarto the embodiment 10 shown in FIG. 8. The attachment method of thisapparatus employs various magnetic pieces with one portion 38 (FIG. 24A)adhering to the neck and the other 37 to the neck supporting apparatus.FIG. 24a demonstrates the magnetic pieces 37, mating with their portions38 on the neck. Further, there may be other intermediate interfacesbetween skin and device, such as Velcro, clips, or other self-adheringmaterials. In this embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus 42, oneportion of the self-adhering 38 material is attached to the skin, likelyby one of the previously mentioned adhesives, and the other portion ofthe self-adhering material 37 is attached, likely permanently, tointerior lining of the device. Finally, the attachment mechanism may beany combination of the above-mentioned methods so as to best suite itsfunctionality.

FIG. 25 depicts an embodiment of the neck support apparatus 84 that iscomprised of breathable material 85 so that perspiration can evaporatefrom the user.

Alternatively, the neck apparatus may have perforations 87 as shown inFIG. 26. Each of these embodiments of the neck supporting apparatus 84and 85 serves to keep the users neck cooler as well as to assistadhesion by reducing moisture retention.

FIG. 27 depicts another embodiment of the neck support apparatus 88configured to allow compression of the jugular veins via patches 90 inthe neck so as to increase cranial blood pressure, further reducing anytrauma to the brain. This compression may be adjustable, may increasewith movement to the neck apparatus or otherwise be triggered uponacceleration sensed at 91. Also note that the neck support apparatus maybe configured with other geometries as shown.

FIGS. 28 and 28 a depict an embodiment of the neck support apparatus 92with exposed edges that reduce trauma to the neck when bending, theseedges may be turned up, radiused 95, tapered 93, thinned 94, or cut in afashion to act as a strain relief. One embodiment has staggered slots 96through the thickness to reduce the flexural forces exhibited at theexposed edges.

It is beneficial that the neck supporting apparatus 45 as depicted inFIG. 1 for example both be supportive and allow the user 51 a full rangeof motion. Ideally, the apparatus 45 will be able to transition fromfree motion to stiff simply, efficiently, and with acceleration dampingqualities. An optimal material for a structure such as this is ShearThickening Fluid (STF) 140 depicted in FIG. 29. Also called a dilatantor strain-rate sensitive material, or more informally termed oobleck,STF 140 is a non-Newtonian fluid, gel, or suspension that displays anincrease in viscosity with an increase in shear stress. This means thatthe STF 140 may act as a fluid or flexible structure normally, but thenwill stiffen when exposed to a rapid change in force. The STF 140 willadd support in accordance with the magnitude of any compression,extension, or bending force.

It is possible to integrate the STF 140 into a composite material 141,as seen in FIG. 29. The top 141 a and bottom 141 b portions of thecomposite material shown in the cross-sectional view may comprise any ofthe features noted in FIGS. 6 and 6 a while enclosing the STF 140. Thiswill give the STF 140 a structure with which to engage with the user 51(not shown). FIG. 30 depicts the same concept, except the STF 140 isheld in small compartments 142. These compartments 142 ensure an evendistribution of the STF 140 throughout the area of the compositematerial 141.

Alternatively, the STF 140 may be embedded directly into the compositematerial 141, as shown in FIG. 31. Embedding the STF 140 will allow thecomposite material to be thinner because there will no longer be a needfor pockets or compartments 142 in which to hold the STF 140.

FIG. 32 depicts the STF 140 (not shown) in a composite material 141 asdescribed in FIGS. 29 through 31 engaged with the user's neck 51 a byelliptical bands 145. The elliptical bands 145 a and 145 b are adheredto the user's neck 51 a in any way as previously described and may bend,extend, or compress with the motion of the user 51. The stretching andbending of the elliptical bands 145 a, b compresses the enclosed STF140. At high rates of flexion or extension, the large force ofcompression will stiffen the STF 140, thereby causing the entire band145 to become rigid. This rigidity will support the neck 51 a and reducethe acceleration of the head, relative to the torso, before injury canoccur. FIG. 33 depicts another embodiment of the neck supportingapparatus 45 using STF 140. This embodiment is similar to that of FIG.32 above but with the composite material 141 formed into straight bands146 a-d. These bands may run the length of a muscle, such as thetrapezius bands 146 a and 146 b or the SCM bands 146 c and 146 d, orthey may be placed straight up or at any other angle on the neck 51 a.

FIGS. 34 and 35 depict another embodiment of the neck supportingapparatus 45 wherein STF 140 is enclosed in a thick supporting structure148. The embodiment is similar to that seen in FIG. 9, except thisembodiment utilizes a thick supporting structure 148 rather than theminimal thin material. The thick supporting structure 148, which may beany foam, layered fabric, plastic, or other structural material, may becurved to securely fit the neck 51 a (not shown), have linkages to holdit around the neck, or have adhesive to hold it against the neck. Thisstructure will provide constant support. The thick supporting structure148 will be somewhat flexible to allow for full range of motion, and itwill be breathable, with a series of small airholes 148 a to maintainuser comfort while in use. Embedded compartments of STF 142 will belocated throughout the structure 148, which will allow the structure 148to stiffen and withstand larger impacts. This embodiment would be idealfor users such as football or lacrosse players who already utilize alarge amount of padding. For these applications, the structure 148 maybe able to attach to the user's helmet or shoulder pads.

FIG. 36 depicts another embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus 45wherein a supporting collar 143 is fitted around the user's neck 51 a.This embodiment is similar to that of FIG. 35, as STF 140 (not shown) isembedded in the structure to give it further support during largeimpacts. The structure is thick and soft, allowing for a cushioningeffect if the user's head 51 b is forced too far in one direction. Thelattice structure 143 a, shown here as cross hatching but may also beany triangular pattern, chevron pattern, woven pattern, or other seriesof shapes, allows the structure to compress slightly with the head's 51b movement while still allowing the overall collar 143 to be breathable.STF 140 embedded within the lattice structure 143 a increases thestiffness only when great amounts of force are applied.

Further embodiments of the neck supporting system 44 and apparatus 45may utilize muscle stimulation or otherwise employ features of theuser's anatomy to reduce trauma. FIG. 37 depicts an embodiment of theneck supporting system 44 wherein the user's musculature, at leastincluding, but not limited to, the trapezius, scalenes, levatorscapulae, and sternocleidomastoid, are made to tighten, contract, orotherwise stiffen by means of external electrical stimulation. The necksupporting system 44 includes a series of sensors 46, which may be anytype of strain gauge, accelerometer, force sensor, motion sensor, orother movement monitoring device. The sensors 46 will measure themovement of and forces acting against the user's head 51 b and/or neck51 a. This data will be sent to the control system 67, which iscomprised of any necessary electronics including a power supply 67 a, anon/off switch 67 b or other power control, an LED 67 c or other means ofdisplaying power output such as a buzzer, and a microcontroller 67 d orany other means of programming the control system 67. The power supply67 a may be comprised of one or multiple rechargeable batteries,piezoelectric devices, kinetic charging devices, or any other devicethat may power the system 44 using the thermal or kinetic energy createdby the user 51. The control system 67 may also include wirelesscommunication 49, which will allow the sensor 46 data and any actionstaken by the control system 67 to be relayed to an optionally includeduser interface 52 (not shown) or to an external database 47 (not shown),which may also give the user 51 the ability to program the supportsystem 100. The external database 47 (not shown) will include optionsfor programming the muscle stimulation for each user and may includevariables such as age, gender, weight, neck girth, and muscle strength.The database may also include instructions for the user in the placementof the support apparatus 100 as well as how to manually alter thefrequency, duration, and intensity of the stimulation.

When the sensors 46 relay force data to the microcontroller 67 c, theprogram will decide if the force is large enough to require protectionof the user's musculature. If the force is large, then themicrocontroller 67 c will activate one or more pairs of electrodes 110,which are connected to the control system 67 by a conductive material109 a-d such as a wire or film or wirelessly. These electrodes 110,which have been engaged with the user 51 via repositionable adhesives115, will use steady or pulsed electrical voltage to elicit musclecontractions. The stiffening or tensing of the muscles in the neck 51 awill provide the needed structure to dampen the effect of the forcesthat caused the head to accelerate, thereby reducing the possibility oftrauma. Following the reduction of outside forces upon the user 51, theelectrodes 110 will stop the voltage potential and return full motioncontrol to the user 51. The number of electrodes 110 and their placementmay vary depending upon the amount of support required or on the musclesto be engaged. FIG. 37 shows two electrode 110 pairs placed verticallyalong the left and right trapezius muscles. The electrodes 110, alongwith their adhesives 115, may be also be removably attachable from therest of the neck supporting system 100. The electrodes 110 may havesnap, hook-and-loop, button, magnetic, or any other form of removableconnection so that the electrodes 110 and adhesives 115 may be replacedif necessary.

There are many different modes of Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS)that could be utilized by the apparatus 45. The three most common typesused are Transcutaenus Electrical Stimulation (TENS), RussianStimulation, High Voltage Pulse Currents, and Interferential Currents(IFC). The apparatus 45 could also utilize EMS techniques such as AussieStimulation or Burst Mode Alternating Current Elongated Period (BMACEP).

TENS is primarily used to decrease chronic pain. The concept behind TENSis to disrupt the electrical responses the muscle sends to the brain tosignal pain. The apparatus 45 can be used therapeutically to help reduceacute neck pain caused by trauma to the neck or other forms of neckdamage. The system would utilize TENS to test a range of electricalfrequencies that may help reduce the severity of pain the userexperiences in the affected muscle regions. The amplitude of the currentthe apparatus produces can be altered by the user 51 within apredetermined safe range in order to reach deeper muscle tissue the userwould like to treat. The apparatus could also be used to help reducemigraines. The FDA has previously approved similar devices. Theapparatus 45 would not utilize TENS across the front of the neck (riskof hypotension), over the eyes (risk of increasing intraocularpressure), directly over the spinal column or transcerebrally. TENSconcentrates on the specific location the electrodes 110 are placed onthe user's skin 51. The apparatus 45, could also integrate anon-invasive Electrical Twitch Obtaining Intramuscular Stimulation(ETOIS) system to therapeutically help reduce acute neck pain caused bytrauma to the neck or other forms of neck damage.

Russian stimulation, a type of Burst Mode Alternating Current (BMAC),utilizes electrical currents to contract muscle tissue. Russianstimulation is primarily used in order to increase muscle mass and forcegains in targeted muscles by stimulating the muscles into flexingrepeatedly. The apparatus 45 can utilize Russian stimulation in twodifferent ways. The apparatus 45 can use the current approach of 10seconds of stimulation followed by 50 seconds of rest for up to 10minutes in order to strengthen the muscles in the neck. The stronger theneck muscles are the more resistance there will be by the neck to aforce that could potentially cause a concussion. Many sports teams andleagues, including the National Football League (NFL) are currentlyusing the practice of using strengthening exercises focused on theplayer's necks in order to minimize the risk or severity of concussionsoverall. The apparatus 45 could be used in place of these exercises orwork tangentially alongside these exercises in order to create astronger neck that would better protect any user from concussion or neckrelated injuries.

A second method of utilizing Russian stimulation would be to use thesame frequency in order to stimulate the muscles for a short period oftime immediately after a strong force subjected to the user's head 51 bis detected. When force sensors 46 detect a force greater than themaximum allowed safe force the apparatus 45 would send a current throughthe desired areas of the neck to stimulate those muscles. This wouldreduce the acceleration of the neck along with the acceleration of thebrain causing the severity of the concussion to decrease. The apparatus45 could use the force sensors 46 located in various locations todetermine where the stimulation is necessary, or the stimulation couldbe applied to the entire neck. The onboard control system 67 d wouldcalculate the most effective muscles to stimulate.

Aussie Stimulation, another type of BMAC, is similar to Russianstimulation except it uses 1000 Hz frequencies instead of the 2500 Hzfrequency Russian stimulation utilizes. Recent studies have shown thatusing the frequencies suggested by the Aussie stimulation create 71.7%torque compared to the Russian torque of 50.8%. Depending on the levelof stiffness the microcontroller 67 d calculates should be used theapparatus 45 can stimulate an alternating current at either frequency.

Pulsed Currents use a pulse of high voltage to stimulate muscle ratherthan the alternating current Russian and Aussie stimulation use. Recentstudies have shown that a pulsed current with a voltage of 200 voltsproduce roughly the same amount of torque in the muscle as Aussiestimulation, around 70.1%. A pulsed current using a voltage of 500 voltsproducing a larger torque of 76.9% as shown by recent studies.

IFC similar to TENS is used to decrease pain while also increasing bloodflow and circulation to the affected areas. The major difference betweenthe two is the frequency at which the current is applied. IFC, either 2or 4 polar frequency (difference in cycles per second), usually runs ata higher frequency of 4000 Hz while TENS runs around 125 Hz. Thedifference in frequency changes which nerve fibers are blocked fromeither sending or receiving the pain signals from the muscle. Theapparatus 45 could, just like the TENS application, use a higher currentto reduce pain in the neck of the user 51 caused by a previous trauma orother reason. IFC would generally be used in the same way to TENS, butIFC is known to deliver currents with much more comfort to the user 51.IFC could also be used by the apparatus 45 in order to reach a muchgreater depth or deeper muscle tissue than TENS could typically reach.IFC would be used to reach tissue located between the positive andnegative electrodes 110 applied to the skin.

BMACEP would be a combination of an Aussie or Russian stimulation usedin a high voltage pulse setting. BMAC stimulation along with pulsestimulation is currently only used to increase muscle mass by creating acyclic pattern to test and then rest the muscle. The apparatus could useBMACEP in order to apply a high voltage pulse with a Russian or Aussiefrequency for an elongated period of time. The extra time would keep themuscles stimulated after a force is detected by the apparatus 45 untilthe user 51 is determined to be no longer in any danger. The pulse couldbe set to last a predetermined amount of time or an automatic featurecould be used by the microcontroller 67 d. The automated elongated pulsetime would be the time from when the sensors 46 initially record theextreme force until when the apparatus' accelerometers 46 record theuser 51 has finally come to rest. A maximum time the elongated pulsewould be applied would be built into the microcontroller 67 d along witha kill switch 67 b on the microcontroller 67 d.

Alternatively, the electrodes 110 may all be stimulated simultaneouslyif the microcontroller 67 c detects a large force. Instead of providingenough muscle support to just dampen the motion of the user's head 51 bthis will stiffen all muscles in the neck and upper torso creating onerigid body for the force to act upon. Utilizing Newton's law of motion,force equals mass times acceleration, the mass that the force is actingupon greatly increases which in turn will significantly reduce theacceleration of the user's head 51 b thus minimizing the severity oreven eliminating the resulting concussion.

The electrodes 110 have to be placed on very precise muscle locations inorder to achieve maximum contraction. A physician or trainer could applymarkers to the desired locations and record the locations in theexternal database 47 (FIG. 38) for future reference. The locations couldalso be determined from software using the information in the database47 recorded about the particular user. The electrode 110 locations couldbe marked using washable or semi-permanent tattoos. A mark on thesurface of the skin could be removed by the user after the electrodes110 are placed, or a semi-permanent tattoo could be placed in theepidermis above the dermis layer where any mark would become permanent.Such marks would be gone in 3 to 4 weeks when the epidermis hasregenerated.

Studies have shown that the brain does not have the time necessary tocontract the neck muscles after a large blow to the head. As a largeforce is applied to the head the acceleration will be at a maximum. Theacceleration would constantly be recorded by the sensors 46. Themicrocontroller 67 d would read the accelerations measured by thesensors 46 and if the acceleration measured is greater than apredetermined allowable maximum the microcontroller 67 d would activatethe electrodes 110. In order for the microcontroller 67 d to process theaccelerations fast enough a very simple code would be used. Allaccelerometer values would be sampled by the microcontroller 67 d insmall increments (milliseconds or smaller). These values would runthrough a simple code that only has two conditions, if a sample size isgreater than or equal to the predetermined max execute electrodes 110;or if less than, continue sampling.

As the sample increment decreases the power consumption will increasedecreasing the battery life. Kinetic energy by the user or solar energycould be utilized to charge the power supply as well as rechargeable andreplaceable batteries. To decrease the amount of time between the impactand the shock discharge each electrode could have their own capacitorwhich would be used to create the charge. These capacitors would stillbe connected to the main battery which would recharge the capacitorsonce they were released.

FIG. 38 is a table depicting a listing of the external database 47 thatwill allow the user 51 to interact with and change settings of the necksupporting apparatus 45. This database 47 will allow for any inputsnecessary to develop a precise and effective method of musclestimulation for any purpose. Such variable inputs include, but are notlimited to, those listed herein or in FIG. 38. Desired Use (Line 1)gives the user, physician, trainer, or assistant the ability to selectwhat the neck supporting apparatus 46 will be used for including, butnot limited to, concussion prevention, therapy, massage, and training.There may also be a designation for specific activities or sports (Line2) which will help determine the amount, placement, and settings for anyincluded electrodes. Depending on the selections for these settings, thefollowing options may become fixed or editable to ensure proper use ofthe device. The User Characteristics section (Lines 3-12) asks for inputof physical characteristics such as age and weight, which factor intocalculations for the electrode settings. It is also possible to inputthe name of the user so that personal settings may be saved andidentified. Sensor Characteristics (Lines 13-14) may be altered based onthe type of sensor to be used in the neck supporting system and on thelevel of precision desired. The Muscles to be Stimulated section (Lines15-23) may include particular muscles that the user 51 desires to focuson. Certain muscles or muscle groups may be isolated to ensure propercontraction reactions to impact forces or to allow for focusedtherapeutic and training sessions. This device may then show the userthe precise locations to place the electrodes 110 in FIG. 37 asdetermined by the user inputs from the external database 47. TheElectrode Settings section (Lines 24-28) includes such variables as thefrequency and intensity of the current to be utilized by the electrodes110. The user 51 may also select different modes (Line 25) such asburst, continuous, pulsed, and sinusoidal. Certain settings may bepreferred during therapy based on user 51 comfort, but specific modeswill be required and not editable if concussion prevention is selectedas the desired use. For instance, it may be determined that a shortpulsed mode gives the most desirable muscle contraction, so the modeselection will not be editable. The user 51 may also be able to leavefeedback (Line 29) on the database so that the user 51 and anyone elsewho may utilize the device may gain insight into such things as how wellcertain settings worked or what options to pay attention to when settingup the device.

The apparatus 45 could provide data using Bluetooth or any other methodof wireless communication to a computer, tablet, smartphone as well as asmartwatch from a wireless communicator 49 located on the neck apparatus45 (FIG. 37). The apparatus would be housed with many sensors 46 (FIG.37) which may include accelerometers and health sensors that could beable to measure heart rate, blood pressure, distance travelled, bloodsugar, cholesterol, calories burned, breathing rate, hydration, bloodoxygen saturation and other data. Knowing the location, velocity,acceleration as well as the heart rate of the user 51 at all times couldlead to very precise calculations of calories burned along with moreintricate calculations and data such as which muscles have been used andwhat muscles should be worked out in future activities. Softwarespecifically designed for this apparatus could be viewed live on anydevice and would be recorded for future analysis by the user 51 into theexternal database 47. Third party software could also connect to theapparatus 45 to access the data provided by the apparatus 45. Theapparatus could also use data entered by the user 51 about previous neckor head injuries into the external database 47 in order to not onlymonitor those areas, but also take preventative action against furtherinjury to those areas. The external database 47 may also be storedonline or in the cloud and be accessed by any device with a wired orwireless connection.

FIG. 39 depicts an embodiment of the muscle stimulating neck supportingapparatus 100 similar to that of FIG. 37 but with a larger array ofelectrodes 110. The electrode pairs shown in this embodiment are placedvertically along the left electrode 110 a and right electrode 110 b tostimulate the trapezius muscles and along the left electrode 110 c andright electrode 110 d to stimulate the SCM muscles. The contraction ofthe trapezius muscles will dampen the flexion and extension of the headwhile the contraction of the SCM muscles will dampen rotation andlateral motion.

FIG. 40 depicts an embodiment of the muscle stimulating neck supportingapparatus 100 similar to that of FIG. 37 but with electrodes placedcloser to the shoulders 51 d. The left electrode pair 110 a and rightelectrode pair 110 b both have upper electrodes close together at theupper portion of the trapezius muscle, while their pairs are placedlower down and spaced more widely to engage with lower fibers of thetrapezius. The contraction of longer, wider reaching fibers of thetrapezius will cause the shoulder blades (not shown) to rise in a motionsimilar to shrugging the shoulders. In addition to the dampening effectcaused by the contracted muscles, the rise of the shoulder blades wouldreduce the effective length of the neck 51 a, thereby decreasing theneck's range of motion and further dampening the motion.

Another embodiment of the muscle stimulating neck supporting apparatus100 is shown in FIGS. 41 and 42 wherein the electrodes 110 a and 110 bare joined to the control system 67 by flexible electronics 125. Theflexible electronics 125 will allow the circuitry to conform moreclosely to the user's body 51 and move with the neck. An adhesive layer(not shown) will allow the structure of the apparatus 100 to bepositioned as desired. Further, the control system 67 will be able toflex and will lie flush to the user's neck 51 a. FIG. 41 shows theflexible electronics 125 connecting electrode pairs for the left andright trapezius muscles with electrodes 110 a and b. The overallstructure of the flexible electronics 125 is flat and spider-like orweb-like, allowing the electrodes to branch out from the control system67 and conform readily to the neck 51 a without adding bulk orappreciable interference. The given shape will also be such that whenthe control system 67 is positioned properly the flexible electronics125 will be configured to automatically lie against the neck 51 a. FIG.42 depicts a similar trapezius electrode 110 a, b placement with theaddition of the SCM muscle electrode 110 c, d placement.

FIG. 43 depicts an embodiment of the muscle stimulating neck supportingapparatus 100 with sinusoidal shaped flexible, extensible electronics126. The connections between the control system 67 and the electrodes110 a-d may have coiled, corrugated, sinusoidal, s-shaped, v-shaped, orother geometric patterns, which will allow them to expand or contractwith the user's (not shown) movements. This will also allow thesupporting apparatus 100 to engage with a variety of users in a largerange of positions.

It is crucial that the user 51 be able to align the neck supportingapparatus 45 properly for the electrical stimulation to have the desiredeffect. It may be desirable to utilize anatomical landmarks, such as theears, jaw, clavicle, or the spinous process or another portion of thespine, as markers or reference points from which to position thestructure. Positioning off of these areas may be done be feel, by sight,by shaping the structure to fit certain areas, or by adding anattachment that will aid the user 51 in placing and positioning theapparatus 45 and then be either folded away or removed. FIG. 44 shows anembodiment of the neck supporting apparatus 45 with ear mounts 135 a, b.The ear mounts 135 a, b may contain any feature of the control system 67(not shown) mentioned above and be able to communicate wirelessly with auser interface 52 (not shown) or external database 47 (not shown). Theear mounts 135 will also conform readily to the shape of the user's ears51 da and 51 db, which will make the device be more out of the way andcomfortable. Because the ear mounts 135 are engaged with a specific partof the anatomy, they may also serve as a stable platform with fixedpositioning that will make it easy to position the electrode patches 113a, b which may include any electrodes, adhesives, sensors, and otherfeatures that may be needed for proper stimulation. The placement of aleft ear mount 135 a and right ear mount 135 b will allow electricstimulation to flow easily across the user's neck musculature 51 a.

FIG. 45 shows the neck stimulation apparatus 100 embodiment of FIG. 37wherein the ear mounts 135 a,b are used in conjunction with an electrodestructure including trapezius electrodes 110 a, b and a control system67. This embodiment would allow for both easy attachment using the earmounts 135 a, b and full electrical stimulation of the neck 51 a.

FIG. 46 shows the neck stimulation apparatus 100 embodiment of FIG. 37wherein the ear mounts 135 a,b are targeting the full SCM muscles usingleft and right upper SCM electrode patches 113 a, b and right and leftlower SCM patches 113 c, d.

An alternative method for the utilization of anatomical landmarks forpositioning is shown in FIG. 47. A supporting frame 170, such as wouldbe used for eyeglasses, including a nosepiece 170 a, that lets the frame170 sit firmly and comfortably on the user's nose 51 c, and templesupports 170 b, which are supported by and may curve slightly around theuser's ears 51 d, may engage with any neck supporting apparatus 45embodiment that must be positioned accurately. This figure shows thesupporting frame 170 engaged with the muscle stimulation apparatus 100of FIG. 42 via connecting cords 171 a and 171 b, which may engage anddisengage with either the frame 170 or system 100 as needed. The frame170 and connecting cords 171 a, b allow the apparatus 100 to be orientedcorrectly for every use because it guides the structure to lay againstthe neck 51 a. Once the muscle stimulation apparatus 100 has been placedand engaged with the neck 51 a, the connecting cords 171 a, b may detachto allow the supporting frame 170 to be removed. Alternatively, theframe 170 may remain attached, and optionally included features such aslenses or a digital display system may act as a user interface 52 (notshown) so that the user 51 may be able to view real time data outputfrom the apparatus 45.

FIG. 48 depicts an embodiment of the muscle stimulation neck supportingapparatus 100 wherein a neck band 155 engages with the neck 51 a to holdall necessary features of the apparatus 100 in position. The neck band155 may fully encircle the neck 51 a, or it may be open at the throat orreach only a small portion of the way around the neck 51 a. The neckband 155 may then engage with the neck simply by encircling it andresting at the base, or it may conform to the neck, tighten down, or usesome form of adhesive for engagement. A projection 155 a at the back ofthe neck band 155 describes the location of the features necessary tofully utilize the apparatus 100 including, but not limited to,electrodes, sensors, a control system, and any other necessarycircuitry. These features may also be embedded directly into the neckband 155. This embodiment would ideally be of a minimum size so that itmay be light and unobtrusive to the user. Muscular stimulation may becombined with any of the other neck apparatus embodiments mentioned inthis description. FIG. 49 depicts an embodiment of the neck supportingapparatus 10 from FIG. 8 enhanced by muscle stimulation. Embedded intothe neck supporting apparatus 10 are electrodes 110 a-d, a controlsystem 67, wires 109 a-d, and any sensors 46 (not shown) or otherfeatures necessary to allow the apparatus 10 to electrically engage withthe neck musculature 51 a. The stiffer supporting structure gives theuser 51 support at all times, while the electrical stimulation protectsagainst larger impacts or accelerations.

FIG. 50 depicts a headband 150 to be worn around the user's head 51 b.The headband 150 may be used in conjunction with any embodiment of theneck supporting apparatus 45 (not shown) described previously orsubsequently and may include a series of sensors 46 that may communicatewith other sensors 46 (not shown) or a control system 67 (not shown).The addition of the sensors 46 around the head 51 b will provide abetter understanding of the full motion of the head during use.

FIG. 51 depicts a collar 152 which may be worn to cover any of the necksupporting apparatus 45 embodiments described previously orsubsequently. The collar 152 may be any flexible material that iscomfortable and breathable for the user 51 to wear, or it may be agarment or part of a garment already worn by the user 51 such as a shirtor jacket. The collar 152 may also be elastic so as to conform to theuser's neck 51 a or to allow it to be pulled over the user's head 51 b.Alternatively, the collar 152 may have one or more zippers, buttons,hook and loop fasteners, or other methods or closure with which tosecure it around the user's neck 51 a. The collar 152 will cover any andall of the features of the neck supporting apparatus 45 mentionedpreviously, most importantly the muscle stimulation neck supportingapparatus 100 (not shown), with its included electrodes,microelectronics and conductive materials. The collar 152 will ensurethat these features remain secured to their designated locations whileprotecting the user 51 and anyone else who may come in contact with theuser 51 from being injured by potentially sharp, hard, or electricallyactive features.

An embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus 45 may also utilizeelectroactive materials 160, as seen in the embodiment in FIG. 52. Themain structure of the neck supporting apparatus 45 will be comprised ofan electroactive material 160, which may be any polymer, fabric, orother material that will conform to the user's neck 51 a during regularuse but may change shape, size, or become rigid when stimulated by anelectric field. When the sensors 46 detect a change in position, speed(velocity), acceleration, or force, the control system 67 may apply anelectric current to the apparatus 45, thereby causing it to become arigidly supportive structure. Once the sensors 46 show that the forcehas been mitigated, the control system 67 may deactivate the material160, allowing the user 51 to regain full range of motion.

FIG. 53 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus 45,wherein a shape memory alloy is utilized to vary intracranial pressure.This embodiment includes a shape memory actuator 165, which wraps aroundthe user's neck 51 a, a control system 67, and compression pads 30,which may be any size, shape, or material necessary to apply pressure tothe jugular veins.

The shape memory actuator 165 will be comprised of a shape memory alloywhich will be pre-formed to engage with the user's neck 51 a so that thecompression pads 30 a, b apply light pressure to the jugular vein. Apressure sensor (not shown) embedded within the compression pads 30 a, bmay show the resulting cranial pressure increase. Other sensors 46, willtrack when forces are present. When these sensors 46 measure a largeforce, an alarm (not shown), which may be any beeper, buzzer, blinkinglight, vibrational alarm, or other means of drawing the user's 51attention to the device, will engage. This will warn the user 51 thatthe control system 67 is going to activate an electrical current, whichwill flow through the shape memory actuator 165. This current will heatthe shape memory actuator 165 slightly, thereby causing it to move toits secondary shape, which will have slighter compression on the neck 51a. Relieving the pressure on the jugular vein will allow the blood toflow freely and decrease intracranial pressure. This pressure reductionis crucial in order to reduce the risk of damage to the brain in theevent of swelling due to an impact. After a specified time or whendirected by the user 51, the control system 67 may disengage theelectrical current so that the shape memory actuator 165 may bend backto its original, compressive position and begin to increase theintracranial pressure once again.

It may also be possible to increase intracranial pressure viacontraction of the omohyoid muscle or another muscle in contact with thejugular vein. This embodiment might include electrical stimulation ofthe omohyoid muscle to contract the muscle and thereby constrict bloodflow from the head. This may require the use of implantable electrodesso as to ensure the stimulation of the specific muscles.

These implantable electrodes may also include an implantable controller,though they need not be connected to the controller, but may bewirelessly connected to a controller that is not implanted.

When utilizing the muscle stimulation neck supporting apparatus 100, itmay be desirable to control which electrodes 110 stimulate themusculature and when. When a relatively large force is detected, it maybe beneficial to stimulate all of the muscles in the necksimultaneously, stimulate one muscle group at a time, or utilize someother combination.

FIG. 54 shows an embodiment of the muscle stimulation neck supportingapparatus 100 engaged with a head 51 b experiencing ventral flexion, orforward bending. The range of motion for the average human head inventral flexion is about 50 degrees. The extent of range of motion inventral flexion is 50 degrees on average. When the sensors 46, either byacceleration, position, rotation, or other changes, detect that arelatively large force is causing flexion, the trapezius electrodes 110a and 110 b (not shown) will engage with the superior and middle fibersof the trapezius muscle, or the Levator scapulae which will contract asif it means to cause extension, or backward bending, of the head 51 b.If the intensity of the electrical stimulation is large enough, thecurrent may reach deeper into the tissue, thereby also engaging smallerextension muscles including the Splenius Captivis and Cervicis and theSemispinalis Captivis and Servicis.

The electrodes 110 a,b may be engaged fully for a set amount of time, orthey may increase or decrease in intensity or pulse on and off dependingon the desired muscular reaction. Pulsation may be desirable because itwould allow the muscle to contract to dampen the impact force and thenrelax to reduce muscle damage and allow the neck 51 a to realignnaturally.

FIG. 55 depicts a similar embodiment of the muscle stimulation necksupporting apparatus 100 to FIG. 54 except now the head 51 b is inextension. When the sensors 46 detect that a relatively large force iscausing dorsal flexion, extension, or backward bending, of the head andneck, the electrodes of the SCM 110 c will engage. The range of motionfor the average human head in dorsal flexion, or extension is about 60degrees. The extent of range of motion in dorsal flexion is 60 degreeson average. The SCM muscles or the Levator scapulae, along with othermuscles including but not limited to the Longus Capitis and Colli andthe Rectus Capitis Anterior and Lateralis, will contract as they wouldto cause flexion, thereby dampening the effect of the opposingextension.

Similar to FIG. 54, lateral flexion of the head may require stimulationof certain muscles. FIG. 56 details lateral flexion of the head 51 b tothe left. When a large force causes this motion, the control system 67may choose to engage only the right trapezius electrodes 110 b and rightSCM electrodes 110 d, which will cause the above mentioned muscles ofonly the right side to contract and counteract the force. The same maybe said for right lateral flexion, where only muscles on the left sideof the neck 51 a may engage. The range of motion for the average humanhead in lateral flexion is about 90 degrees. The extents of range ofmotion in lateral flexion is 45 degrees to the right and 45 degrees tothe left on average.

It is noted that various ornamental shapes can be selected for theapparatus embodiments illustrated in the figures while still performingthe same functionality. For example, there may be two, four, six, eight,or any number of electrode extensions out of the control center, makingthe apparatus look like a beetle, ant, spider (“neckspider”), or otherknown legged creature. Alternatively, the apparatus may take on afuturistic shape of a space ship or other science fiction articleincluding metallic, pearlescent, or glowing materials, and led lights.Or the apparatus may take on the free form of the neck with naturalskin-looking (“neckskin”), translucent, or transparent materials so asto be camouflaged or less apparent. These and other ornamental shapesmay be selected or varied to improve the aesthetic appearance of theapparatus or to identify a source of the apparatus while still achievingthe functionality of the apparatus.

In a similar manner to FIG. 54, rotation of the head 51 b and neck 51 amay require the stimulation of certain muscles. FIG. 57 details therotation of the head 51 b to the left. When a large force causes thismotion, the control system 67 may choose to engage only the SCMelectrodes 110 d and/or other muscles on the right side such as theright trapezius, splenius capitis and cervicis, and the scalenes. Thecontraction of these muscles would cause rotation and lateral flexion inthe direction opposite of the force, thereby dampening its effect andreducing the rotation. Similarly, rotation of the head 51 b to the rightwill result in unilateral contraction of the left-side muscles. Therange of motion for the average human head in rotation is about 160degrees. The extents of range of motion in rotation are 80 degrees tothe right and 80 degrees to the left on average. As mentionedpreviously, it will likely be necessary to include sensors 46 with theneck supporting apparatus 45 in order to better understand the motion ofthe user 51. Sensors 46 may be placed at any location on the user's 51body that will aid in the understanding of the movement of the user 51.The sensors 46 may be placed at even intervals, at specified points, orthey may be mounted to a garment or device that will be placed on theuser 51 in a specified way. These sensors may also have the ability totrack position, velocity, acceleration, jerk, rotation, or any othervariable that will allow the control system 67 to understand how thehead, neck, shoulders, and the rest of the body are moving relative toeach other.

Because a user 51 experiencing jerk may be experiencing load changesfaster than the user's 51 muscle control can compensate for, the sensorsmust have a very high sampling rate and short processing time to ensurethat the apparatus 45 engages fast enough to dampen the forces.

FIG. 58 illustrates one possible embodiment of sensor placements,wherein a triaxial accelerometer 46 aa is placed at the base of the neck51 a and another triaxial accelerometer 46 ab is placed at the base ofthe skull. The triaxial accelerometers 46 aa and 46 ab may measureaccelerations on three different axes. These accelerometers 46 aa,ab maywork separately, simply sending overall acceleration data to the controlsystem 67 (not shown), or their data may be compared. If the uppertriaxial accelerometer 46 ab shows a larger acceleration or jerk, whichis the rate of change of acceleration, than the base triaxialaccelerometer 46 aa, then it would be clear that the head isexperiencing a whiplash-like motion. The axes that show greater variancewill tell the control system 67 (not shown) the direction in which thehead 51 b is moving relative to the shoulders 51 d and allow theapparatus 45 (not shown) to react accordingly. Additional sensors mayalso be incorporated into the apparatus 45 (not shown) to track theuser's 51 pulse, temperature, blood oxygen level or any other variablesthat may be desirable.

FIG. 59 depicts an embodiment of the neck supporting apparatus 45 withhead, shoulder, and upper back support. This embodiment is based at theshoulders 6 with a single large trapezius support 2 running from thebase of the head support 1 downward. Similar to FIG. 9, the SCM supports3 and the scalene supports 4 further reinforce the structure of the neckto protect from rotational and lateral motions. A back support 55 mayextend as far below the shoulders as necessary to fully support thespine and the neck. The back support 55 may be as wide or as long asnecessary, and it may be branched, curved, or shaped in any way to bestmount the apparatus 45 and protect the user 51 from impact or strain.

Electrically stimulating a shoulder shrug prior to or du ring headacceleration can decrease the effective length of the neck therebyreducing the acceleration experienced by the head. Furthermore, theshoulders can act as a natural support or brace, limiting the headsmotion or travel. Electrical muscle stimulation of the shoulder and neckcan effectively induce a shoulder shrug. Experiments have been conductedto evaluate this technique with different electrical settings.

The graph shown in FIG. 60 represents the shrug percentage achieved bystimulation over a range of milliamps (mA) or volts (V). An IFC settingwas used for this data meaning a frequency of 4000 Hz. The data wasobtained by measuring the length of shoulder movement at the same pointon the shoulder over the entire range of milliamps or volts. Theshoulders were then shrugged to a maximum height without any stimulationto find the maximum possible height which was used to calculate theshrug percentage. Since the shoulders do not move in a straight line andrather an arc approximations were made in measuring the maximum heightwhich leads to a possible error of ±1.5%. Current less than 15 mA andvoltage less than 12 volts created no stimulation. On both graphs alinear trend of shrug height can be seen as the current or voltageprogressively increases followed by an immediate halt of any moreincrease. The following points were not graphed to show the trend line,but they can be seen in FIG. 61.

FIG. 61 shows a similar approach to the previous graph, but insteadutilizes Russian stimulation. The frequency is set at 2500 Hz while boththe voltage and current progressively increase. Using a lower frequencyallows stimulation to occur at a lower setting while also creating aslightly higher shrug percentage at higher settings. Like IFC the shrugheight tends to level off at a specific value depending on thefrequency. The graph also includes a possible error of ±0.84%.

The graph in FIG. 62 shows the shrug percentage as a function offrequency. Due to limitations of the stimulation equipment only a rangebetween 20 and 220 Hz was achievable on the lower frequency range. Allpoints were taken at a constant voltage of 18 V. Both the Russian andIFC points were taken from the 18 V values. Russian frequency and IFCfrequency are always set to 2500 Hz and 4000 Hz respectively. The errorfor the lower frequency range is ±2.18%. The graph shows a possiblemaximum shrug percentage between the 220 Hz point and the 2500 HzRussian stimulation point. This value is between 1000 and 1500 Hz whichis consistent with the findings that an Aussie Stimulation of 1000 Hzcreates the highest possible torque.

FIG. 63 illustrates with representative dashpots the dampening effectsexperienced by the user from the neck supporting apparatus 180. The sidedashpots 181 and back dashpots 182, can more generally be referred to asdampers, and can represent either mechanical dampening from themechanical properties of the physical material, electromechanicaldamping from electrically active materials, or physiological dampingfrom electrical stimulation of the user's muscles. Mechanical dampeningcould include oil, grease, stress thickening fluids, magnetic materials,viscoelastic materials or any other type of mechanical dampeningpreviously described or later discovered. Electrical orelectromechanical dampening could include ferrofluid resistance, eddycurrent braking or any other type of electrical resistance previouslydescribed or later discovered. Physiological dampening could includeelectrodes, conductive skin attachments, conductive implants, or anyother type of muscle stimulation dampening previously described or laterdiscovered. The side dashpots 181 show dampening provided by theapparatus 180 during lateral motion of the user's head. The backdashpots 182 show dampening provided by the apparatus during a front toback nodding motion of the user's head.

The neck supporting apparatus 190 of FIG. 64a through FIG. 64c depicts acombination of structural dampening, electrically active dampening andEMS described previously. The upper neck or lower head support 193 iscoupled to the outer dampers 191 and inner dampers 192. Similarly, thelower neck or upper shoulder support 194 is coupled to the opposing endsof the outer dampers 191 and inner dampers 192. Outer dampers 191 andinner dampers 192 would be designed to provide resistance and dampeningunder axial elongation, compression, bending, or rotation. The dampeningcould be created by an interface of high viscosity oil, grease, a shearthickening fluid, or a low durometer elastomer or viscoelastic materialin frictional contact of various layers, chambers, or sections making upthe damper. For example, the outer dampers 191 and inner dampers 192could be configured as thin, though relatively inextensible sheets orfilms that are built up into layers with grease in between each layer.The thin films could be polymer, metal, or any other material that doesnot easily elongate with the expected forces applied to the damper. Eachalternating layer (every other layer) would be connected to the upperneck support 193, and the remaining layers (every other layer that wasnot connected to the upper neck support 193) would be connected to thelower neck support 194. The layers would be held together andencapsulated with a flexible, extensible membrane. Any bending,elongation, or compression of the dampers would result in in a dynamicshear viscosity relationship between each layer, allowing the damper tobend, or longitudinally move freely at slower speeds with negligibleopposing forces, but at higher speeds of bending or longitudinalmovement would create resistance to the motion by producing greateropposing forces.

These same dampers 191 and 192 could also be configured to beelectrically active (e.g., ferrofluid, eddy current braking) and respondto the speed of elongation, compression, bending or rotation as afunction of time. In this case, the control system 67 f wouldcontinuously monitor the axial elongation of the dampers and provideelectrical stimulus to increase or decrease the forces of elongation,compression, rotation, or bending based on the acceleration. Thisacceleration would be calculated by the control system 67 f by dividingthe measured movement or motion by the corresponding time twice. Theapparatus 190 may also embody electrodes 110 f in direct contact withthe skin so as to provide electrical muscle stimulation to the musclesin the neck and or shoulders. Contraction of these muscles may furthersupport the head and lessen accelerations in one or multiple directions.

Further anatomical descriptions of the neck supporting apparatus are asfollows and can be seen in FIG. 64a . An upper U shaped support 193 thatruns from just below the mastoid process of the posterior part of theskull across the occipital bone (neck-skull interface) and back up tothe opposite mastoid process. There is a larger lower inverted U shapedsupport 194 that runs from the distal end of the Levator scapulae upacross the middle trapezius muscle and back down to the opposite Levatorscapulae distal end. There are multiple connective supporting membersthat attach to both the upper 193 and lower U shaped supports 194. Thetwo outer dampers 191 would be longer and would attach at the end of theupper U shaped support 193 on the mastoid process and the end′ of thelower U shaped support 194 on the distal Levator scapulae on the sameside. These two members would have the ability to extend or shorten dueto a sleeve-like arrangement. The inner dampers 192 connect both Usupports at their vertices. The entire apparatus may be encased in asolid breathable membrane layer, not shown, which may have a variety ofcolor options to choose from. This may provide an aesthetic appeal tothe user.

Alternatively, the apparatus 190 comprises a curved strip, similar tothe upper U support 193 previously described, which may adhere to theneck horizontally, inferior to the base of the skull and superior tospinal vertebrae C3. The lateral ends of the strip would extend frombehind one ear, just inferior to the earlobe but superior to theexternal carotid artery and jugular vein, and dorsal to the carotidartery and jugular vein, but ventral to the spinal column, to the sameplacement behind the opposing ear. Another curved strip, similar to theinverted U support 194 previously described, may be placed on the top ofthe shoulders. The two ends of the strip would be positioned just medialto the spine of the scapulae and just superior to the medial end of thespine of the scapulae, and the center of the strip would sit at themidline of the base of the neck between C7 and TI. Inner dampers 192previously shown, would connect the centers of the upper support 193 tothe bottom support 194, and outer dampers 191 would connect the lateralends of the upper support 193 to the corresponding ends of the lowersupport 194. The lateral ends of the superior and inferior supports mayincorporate EMS electrodes 110 f, such that each the right and the leftside of the device would have a positive terminal on either the superioror inferior strip and a negative terminal on the opposing strip. Whenthe controller 67 f detects levels of acceleration over a pre-determinedthreshold, the EMS would activate the electrodes 110 f in order to causestiffening in the levator scapulae muscles and trapezius muscles todampen the impact. The device would be flexible and comfortable forusers to wear.

The words used in this specification to describe the various embodimentsare to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly definedmeanings, but to include by special definition in this specificationstructure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly definedmeanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of thisspecification as including more than one meaning, then its use in aclaim must be understood as being generic to all possible meaningssupported by the specification and by the word itself.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are,therefore, defined in this specification to include not only thecombination of elements which are literally set forth, but allequivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially thesame function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially thesame result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that anequivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any oneof the elements in the claims below or that a single element may besubstituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements maybe described above as acting in certain combinations and even initiallyclaimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or moreelements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised fromthe combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to asub combination or variation of a sub combination.

For example, embodiments of this invention may include means formitigating the speed or acceleration of the head relative to the torsowithin a range of motion. Such means encompasses structures such as adamper configured to provide a lower resistance to the motion when thespeed or acceleration of the head relative to the torso is lower and ahigher resistance to the motion when the speed or acceleration of thehead relative to the torso is higher. It also encompasses structuressuch as a damper configured to provide a lower resistance to the motionwhen the position of the head relative to the torso is closer to acenter of the range of motion and a higher resistance to the motion whenthe position of the head relative to the torso is closer to extents ofthe range of motion. The means for mitigating the speed or accelerationof the head relative to the torso also encompasses structures such asthe mechanical dampers, physiological dampers and electromechanicaldampers described or illustrated herein, as well as structures that areequivalent in one or more of their functionality, performance, andeffect.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by aperson with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of theclaims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one withordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of thedefined elements.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be understood that such embodiments areprovided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes andsubstitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that theappended claims cover all such variations as fall within the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for reducing trauma in the head or neckof a living being caused by acceleration of the head relative to a torsoof the living being within a range of motion, the method comprising:engaging a support with at least one of the head, neck, and shoulderwithout limiting the range of motion of the head or neck relative to thetorso; and reducing the speed at which the head moves relative to thetorso and increasing the time needed for the head to move through therange of motion using a physiological damper including at least oneelectrode associated with the support.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe reducing step is performed at least in part by the damper, whichprovides a lower resistance to the motion when the speed or accelerationof the head relative to the torso is lower and a higher resistance tothe motion when the speed or acceleration of the head relative to thetorso is higher, thereby reducing the acceleration of the head relativeto the torso.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the reducing stepincludes stimulating a muscle of at least one of the head, neck, orshoulder.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the reducing step includessensing a condition associated with the support.
 5. The method of claim4, wherein sensing includes sensing one or more of position, speed,acceleration, compression, rotation, bending, skin conduction, orcardiovascular physiological parameters associated with the support. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the reducing step includes the livingbeing responding to a user interface in electrical communication withthe support.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein responding includesviewing a graphical display.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein thereducing step includes inhibiting contraction of one or more muscleswhile contracting one or more different muscles.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the reducing step includes activating the electrode.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising sensing a condition associatedwith the support, and activating the electrode in response to the sensedcondition.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein sensing includes sensingone or more of position, speed, acceleration, compression, rotation,bending, skin conduction, or cardiovascular physiological parametersassociated with the support.
 12. A method for reducing trauma in thehead or neck of a living being caused by acceleration of the headrelative to a torso of the living being within a range of motion, themethod comprising: engaging a support with at least one of the head,neck, and shoulder without limiting the range of motion of the head orneck relative to the torso; and strengthening the muscle of the livingbeing as the head moves through the range of motion using aphysiological damper including at least one electrode associated withthe support.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the strengthening stepincludes stimulating a muscle of at least one of the head, neck, orshoulder.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising using amechanical damper or an electromechanical damper.
 15. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising increasing the range of motion of the headby increasing flexibility of the living being through extended durationor repeated movements of the head relative to the torso while thesupport is engaged.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein thestrengthening step includes inhibiting contraction of the muscle whilecontracting one or more different muscles.
 17. The method of claim 12,wherein the strengthening step is performed in response to sensing aparameter associated with the support.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein sensing a parameter includes sensing a position, speed,acceleration, compression, rotation, bending, skin conduction, orcardiovascular physiological parameter associated with the support. 19.The method of claim 12, wherein the strengthening step is performed inresponse to signals transmitted by a user interface in electricalcommunication with the support.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein theuser interface is a graphical display.
 21. The method of claim 19,wherein the strengthening step includes sending coordinated signals fromthe user interface to the support and to the living being to cause theaction of the support to dampen or facilitate the movement of the livingbeing as directed by the user interface.
 22. The method of claim 19,further comprising the user interface directing the living being toperform movements or remain fixed against actions from the support. 23.The method of claim 17, the sensing step providing feedback to a userinterface.
 24. A method for reducing trauma in the head or neck of aliving being caused by acceleration of the head relative to a torso ofthe living being within a range of motion, the method comprising:engaging a support with at least one of the head, neck, and shoulderwithout limiting the range of motion of the head or neck relative to thetorso; and increasing a muscle contraction speed of the living being asthe head moves through the range of motion using a physiological damperincluding at least one electrode associated with the support.
 25. Themethod of claim 24, wherein the increasing step includes stimulating amuscle of at least one of the head, neck, or shoulder.
 26. The method ofclaim 24, wherein the increasing step is performed in response tosensing a position, speed, acceleration, compression, rotation, bending,skin conduction, or cardiovascular physiological parameters associatedwith the support.
 27. The method of claim 24, wherein the increasingstep is performed in response to signals transmitted by a user interfacein electrical communication with the support.
 28. The method of claim24, further increasing the range of motion of the head by increasingflexibility of a muscle of the living being through extended duration orrepeated movements of the head relative to the torso while the supportis engaged.
 29. The method of claim 24, the increasing step includinginhibiting contraction of one or more muscles while contracting one ormore different muscles.
 30. The method of claim 27, further comprisingincreasing a speed of the living being's initiation of movement byrepeated responses to communication from the user interface.
 31. Themethod of claim 27, further comprising communicating instructions to theliving being using the user interface while simultaneously communicatingsignals to the support to vary a dampening effect.
 32. The method ofclaim 31, further comprising increasing a rate of reaction of the livingbeing to the instructions of the user interface by repeatedcommunication.
 33. The method of claim 27, further comprising increasinga flexibility of a muscle of the living being by repeated or extendedduration responses to the user interface.
 34. The method of claim 24further comprising increasing the range of motion of the head relativeto the torso through dampening variations of the physiological damper.35. The method of claim 24, wherein the increasing step includeslowering a physiological electrical threshold of the muscle of theliving being.